Why an RCVS PSS?

Re: Why an RCVS PSS?

J G Wray — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:51:03 GMT

Dear Messrs Stephenson and Barbour-Hill,

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"] - Actually Mr S - Absolutely correct. All promotion of the PSS comes from a percentage of PSS (ring fenced) fees and NOT from the statutory retention fee.[/quote]

Once again, there's a certain amount of elasticity in interpretation required where RCVS is concerned. The initial promotional material and a subsequent £60,000 came from existing funds. Just thought I'd mention it.

[quote user="Richard Stephenson"]At the end of the day it is VOLUNTARY (as you say). In my opinion it is in the interests of the profession and the wider public that Vets should be seen to have an inspection system in place before it is imposed on us by big government.[/quote]

Has Government said anything to you about maKing time and resources available for the necessary legislation? I was under the impression that the opposite was true, but that's just me for ya.

[quote user="Richard Stephenson"]In reality the scheme IS managed by the members themselves. The Practice standards Group who write the manual is almost entirely made up of representatives of the BVA, BSAVA, BCVA BEVA and the BVHA. The RCVS chairs the meetings and ultimately RCVS Council authorises the standards manual - but it is written by the PSG i.e. THE MEMBERS of the scheme.[/quote]

Ah. Does anyone see a flaw in this?

Regs

JGW

Re: Why an RCVS PSS?

Mike Martin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:38:01 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"] I have locumed in two practices that don't even have bottled oxygen or gaseous anaesthesia routinely carrying out major procedures such as bitch spays and c-sections using i/v top up thiopentone, that have no autoclave, and use out of date and out dated drugs.

[/quote]

Hmmm....that's not a requirement for PSS. But that's what makes the PSS scheme miss-mash of illogical requirements. Another example: all GP practices must have a separate room for clipping (surgical prep), than that used for surgery (theatre) - but on the other hand, there is no requirement to wear surgical gloves (and a lot don't, I'm not saying there should be though). In fact I can't even find the obvious - ie. wash and scrub hands prior to surgery - or is that stating the obvious after a session foot paring of cattle? (Sorry getting facetious).

For a scientific profession, its not been well thought out - but committees are infamous for failing to produce a sound and sensible system.

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"] So, why does RCVS need to run PSS at all? .........That would be a good deal more appropriate than RCVS being in the business of telling the public which practice to use, something which is way beyond its statutory powers.

[/quote]

I agree - is there not a conflict of interest here? There was less issues when run by BSAVA. But it would seem more appropriate for a body like the BVA to run, as part of its member services.

Re: Why an RCVS PSS?

Clive Ansell — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:13:56 GMT

I am in favour of a scheme that raises standards, but I feel there needs to be a minimum set of standards that all practices have to adhere too and such a scheme should be compulsory, with random and unannounced inspections.

I have locumed in two practices that don't even have bottled oxygen or gaseous anaesthesia routinely carrying out major procedures such as bitch spays and c-sections using i/v top up thiopentone, that have no autoclave, and use out of date and out dated drugs. And this is since 2001, not in the 1940's. It is the 21st century and there needs to be a minimum enforceable standard that the public can be assured of, with such practices being confined to the history books or re marketing and opening as museums.

Re: Why an RCVS PSS?

Richard Stephenson — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:48:13 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]the rules are not really enforceable on days other than inspection day.[/quote]Clive,

I'm sure all you say might be true in some practices - but is that an argument against having a scheme??

The fact that some people cheat or don't always follow the rules is no reason not to have rules or standards.

Every time we have an inspection in our practice something comes to light that is wrong and it gives us an opportunity to try harder and correct any defects. Are we perfect - of course not - but we do find external audit helpful.

Can you acheive high standards outside of the scheme? Yes of course you can. Its just I find it easier working within a defined framework.

At the end of the day it is VOLUNTARY (as you say). In my opinion it is in the interests of the profession and the wider public that Vets should be seen to have an inspection system in place before it is imposed on us by big government.

Yours,

Richard S.

Re: Why an RCVS PSS?

Richard Stephenson — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:40:49 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]So, why does RCVS need to run PSS at all? It's self-financing. Why not flog it off or hand it over to its members to run themselves?[/quote]

Evelyn,

I doubt that you and I will agree on this one. I think that as long as the scheme is VOLUNTARY & the RCVS's main mission is to manage the interface between public and the profession that the RCVS is the natural home for a PSS. Indeed the public might well question why a body such as the RCVS didn't have a scheme.

In reality the scheme IS managed by the members themselves. The Practice standards Group who write the manual is almost entirely made up of representatives of the BVA, BSAVA, BCVA BEVA and the BVHA. The RCVS chairs the meetings and ultimately RCVS Council authorises the standards manual - but it is written by the PSG i.e. THE MEMBERS of the scheme.

Any publicity used to promote the scheme is paid for by the scheme members (such as myself to declare my interest) and can not come from statutory income.

Most other professions have something similar and of course many 'trade groups'.

Yours,

Richard S.

Re: Why an RCVS PSS?

Clive Ansell — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:39:47 GMT

Why a PSS at all really. Given it is not compulsory it is neither one thing or the other. Because a practice does not have to join, there is still no enforceable minimum standard across the board that the public can be assured of. Even where practices are part of the PSS, the rules are not really enforceable on days other than inspection day.

Some of my locums have been in PSS practices, but once the inspection is out of the way some revert back to pre PPS protocols and standards. One practice in particular; had to move its clippers and wall bracket out of the operating theatre, to promptly replace them once the inspection was over. The twice daily charts recording fridge and drug shelf temperatures were fabricated, and the "vets flat" upstairs for someone to be "on the premises" OOH was great, but there was no vet in it, he/she would always go home.