We set up Veterinary Complaint Reform to highlight the very real need for an independent body, rather than the RCVS, to look into complaints against vets made by the public.  It is also a resource for people who need to make a complaint against a vet.

As things stand, the RCVS is the only body who look into complaints, but only through their very limited disciplinary ‘concerns’ process.  As long ago as 2008, this process was described by a government committee report as ‘inflexible, lacking in transparency and not meeting the public need for the investigation and resolution of complaints’. The overwhelming majority of cases are dismissed – over 99% of complaints are thrown out with no action being taken. 

The vets professional Code of Conduct is simply not being upheld or enforced as it should be. It is this Code which is supposed to set standards for the profession.  We believe that this is damaging to both human and animal welfare. It also damages the trust which the public would wish to place in the profession. 

We would like:

• An independent body created which is able to undertake an impartial and thorough investigation into complaints against vets made by the public
• This body would need the necessary powers to obtain information from individual vets and practices.
• It also must have the power to impose sanctions both on individual vets and practices and direct that remedial action be taken where appropriate.
• The Code of Conduct needs to be reformed, in order to protect animal welfare and the public interest in this – as well as to offer more protection for consumers.

Do submit your thoughts and experiences on our online form.  We can then continue to press the CMA and DEFRA to give full consideration to the reforms needed.

Please take a moment also to fill out our short survey, to have your say on the current vet services market.