GOLDEN JUBILEE OF THE VETERINARY NURSING PROFESSION

That this House notes that the title veterinary nurse is not protected, despite all veterinary nurses who are listed with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) having undertaken at least two years of education and clinical veterinary nurse training to safeguard animal health and welfare; notes that only those who are on the non-statutory RCVS Register have formally committed to keeping their skills and knowledge up-to-date by way of continuing professional development, follow a code of conduct and agree to be accountable for their professional practice; further notes that there arethose who call themselves veterinary nurses who have no formal veterinary nurse education and training; and therefore calls onGovernment to support the work of the RCVS' Veterinary Nurses Council, which is supported by the representative bodies the British Veterinary Nursing Association and the British Veterinary Association, to introduce a statutory regime for the regulation of veterinary nurses that will serve the public interest and better protect animal health and welfare.