Panorama article from BBC "VN" in Daily Mail

Re: Panorama article from BBC "VN" in Daily Mail

Hannah Wynne Richards — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:44:08 GMT

I've read the article, and Alex describes herself as a "trainee nurse ", yet states that is different from a "student nurse whose professional courses are recognised by the RCVS ". I assume from this that she was a trainee nursing auxiliary, in which case her legal status was that of an ordinary lay member of the public, so she should not have been allowed to attempt to place a catheter. I would be the first to defend fee levels, as my opinion is we undercharge for our expertise, but that is very different to defending dishonesty or blatant malpractice. I will be waiting to see the whole programme before forming any other opinions

Wynne

Re: Panorama article from BBC "VN" in Daily Mail

Rob Reid — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:43:49 GMT

[quote user="salome2001"]What makes me laugh is the "disgusted of tunbridge wells" DM reader comments[/quote]

Would you expect anything less from the readers of the Daily Mail?!

Re: Panorama article from BBC "VN" in Daily Mail

Anthony Todd — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:35:44 GMT

"Qualification and/or training" is for nothing when dealing with a hysterical pet. Some qualified vets and doctors couldn't get a catheter into the Blackwall tunnel, even after years of trying, I'll call it.

It's an art, FCS, and some of the "untrained" ones are naturals, some of the" trained" ones never will be, and should go back to being on the telly.

The "charge for blood pressure" expose will be an instance where the boss has had so many instances of standard protocol procedures not being charged out, and has told the surgeon umpteen times.

The surgeon, probably to cover his rear end, charged it out knowing he'd forgotten, but thinking it was worth the risk and would avoid a bollocking. Indefensible sure, but not really Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Of course Panorama would have found an "expert" who would say that blood pressure is a vital monitor during anaesthesia etc. etc.so they've scored either way.

Re: Panorama article from BBC "VN" in Daily Mail

salome2001 — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:56:01 GMT

the DM article is nothing you wouldn't expect- crap written by someone who still has no clue about veterinary practice despite working in it . What makes me laught is the "disgusted of tunbridge wells" DM reader comments. Especially the one about "it costs £40 for my pet's vaccination and I know the vaccine only costs a few pounds". Yes darling: and a set of brake pads also costs a few pounds, but I'll bet you paid more than £40 last time you had them replaced on your SUV. And the mechanic was probably an apprentice on minimum wage, not a professional with a 5 year university degree.

Re: Panorama article from BBC "VN" in Daily Mail

Rob Reid — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:28:43 GMT

Prior to the bit about topping up the anaesthetic the Daily Mail article states the following blatent factual inaccuracy:

"Yet more than once I witnessed student nurses perform this crucial role during animals’ surgery - despite the fact that Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ rules stipulate that only a qualified vet should administer anaesthetic"

Re: Panorama article from BBC "VN" in Daily Mail

Clive Ansell — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:58:28 GMT

Would not a "top up of anaesthetic" for a patient becoming light during a procedure just involving turning the dial on the vapouriser, which could be carried out by anyone under the direction of the veterinary surgeon, or VN monitoring the anaesthetic?

Re: Panorama article from BBC "VN" in Daily Mail

Laurence Webb — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:53:32 GMT

The newspaper article suggests that this was a top-up of anaesthetic rather than injection of a fixed dose so I suspect it falls into category 3b in that RCVS advice note.

Could there be an exclusion if the nurse was directed by a supervising vet to give a fixed volume (eg 0.1ml aliquots) each time the animal appeared to be too light? I suspect not.

Re: Panorama article from BBC "VN" in Daily Mail

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:34:59 GMT

Looks farcical. The undercover reporter does seem a bit of a 'bunny hugger' but she shouldn't be placing catheters or taking blood.

It will be interesting to see the programme, but I suspect they are making a mountain out of a molehill.

Re: Panorama article from BBC "VN" in Daily Mail

Rob Reid — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 09:37:35 GMT

Hmmm, surprise surprise the Daily Mail decide to stick their nose in again...

Also unsurprisingly some factual inaccuracies - notably the bit about administering anaesthetics. Alex Lee states that only vets can induce anaesthesia. But it is my understanding that RVNS or supervised student RVNS can induce anaesthesia as long as a fixed volume of anaesthetic is used and is directed by a vet.

http://www.rcvs.org.uk/shared_asp_files/GFSR.asp?NodeID=97577