NEWSLETTER
``
Veterinary Board of the Northern Territory
SEPTEMBER
2012
______________
Goff Letts Building, Berrimah Farm, Berrimah NT
GPO Box 3000, DARWIN, Northern Territory 0801
Email: vetboard@nt.gov.au Phone: 08 89992028
Web: www.vetboard.nt.gov.au Fax: 08 89992089
Fax
(08) 89992089
THIS EDITION – AT A GLANCE
BOARD MEMBERSHIP
Contents: This edition of the Newsletter
provides advice on:
Brian Radunz (President)
(ex-officio - Chief Inspector of Livestock)
Ian Gurry (Vice President)
(elected veterinarian)
Shane Bartie (Member)
(elected veterinarian)
Dick Morton (Member)
(appointed veterinarian)
Amanda Godden (Public Interest Member)
(appointed non-veterinarian)
 THE BOARD
- Current Membership
- Recent and forthcoming changes
 LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS
- Updated Regulations commenced
on 3 August 2012
- New Code of Conduct
- an updated list of services not
considered to be veterinary services
- exclusions from section 24 (ie the
offences section) of the Veterinarians Act)
 BOARD GUIDELINES
- Up-dated guidelines on Record Keeping,
Anaesthesia and Staff
- New guidelines on minimum standards for
Veterinary Premises and House-Call
Practices
 THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILIARITY AND
COMPLIANCE WITH CODE OF CONDUCT,
ALL LEGISLATION AND GUIDELINES
 PRESCRIBED FEES
- increase in Primary Registration fee
- removal of Secondary Registration fee
 ANNUAL RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION
- notices to be despatched in October
 REGISTRATION STATISTICS
 REPORTING CIVIL CLAIMS
 and includes the following attachments:
 Code of Conduct
 Services prescribed not to be
veterinary services
 Exclusion from Section 24 of the Act
 Board Guidelines on Record Keeping;
Anaesthesia; Staff; Minimum
Standards for Veterinary Premises; and
Minimum Standards for House-Call
Practices
 Advisory Note on Prescribing
Obligations
Administrative Support
Bernadette McKirdy (Board Registrar)
BOARD HAPPENINGS Pending Retirement of Board President
/Chief Veterinary Officer
Dr Brian Radunz, the Territory’s long serving Chief
Veterinary Officer, who has performed the functions
of the President of the Veterinary Board in an exofficio capacity since September 2011, will retire
from the role of Chief Veterinary Officer in
November 2012.
The newly appointed Chief
Veterinary Officer, Dr Malcolm Anderson will
assume the President’s position from December
2012.
Board Elections
Section 5(1)(b) of the Veterinarians Act provides for
two positions on the Board to be filled by “2
registered veterinarians” who are elected by
registered veterinarians by postal ballot to be
elected as Board members “to represent the
interests of registered veterinarians”.
Welcome to New Members and Thank you
to Retiring Members
The conduct of a recent election resulted in the
appointment of Dr Ian Gurry and Dr Shane
Bartie as elected members to fill the vacancies
created through the retirement of Dr Danny Atkins
and Dr Jennifer Watts, who did not seek reelection.
The Board welcomes Dr Ian Gurry and Dr Shane
Bartie to the Board and acknowledges its
appreciation for the significant contributions
made by the retiring members, Dr Danny Atkins
(who served 12 years as an elected member and
6 years as Vice President) and Dr Jennifer Watts
(who served one 3-year term as an elected
member).
Anticipated Resignation of “Public
Interest” Member of Board
An interstate transfer will require Amanda
Godden, who has served as the public interest
member on the Board since August 2010, to
submit her resignation from the Board in October
2012. The veterinary members of the Board have
appreciated her enthusiasm and interest and in
particular, have valued the insights into the
consumers’ perspective that she has brought to
the Board’s deliberations.
LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS
- REVIEW OF VETERINARIANS ACT
- VETERINARIANS REGULATIONS –
AS AMENDED AND IN FORCE FROM
3 AUGUST 2012
Advice on the review of the Veterinarians Act and
proposals emanating from the review will be
provided to the new Northern Territory
government. Approval will be sought to draft an
amendment Bill. Whilst Brian Radunz will cease
the role of Chief Veterinary Officer in November
2012, he will, on a part-time basis, continue to
progress the amendment of the Act.
Depending on the legislative priorities of the new
government, the goal is to have an amendment
Bill for public consultation by the end of 2013.
As an interim measure, some of the outcomes of
the review and the national recognition of
veterinary registration have been achieved
through amendments to the Regulations.
The Veterinarians Amendment Regulations
2012, which came into effect on 3 August 2012:
 improve clarity within the regulations;
 provide an up-dated code of conduct
that improves
guidance
to
registered
veterinarians
(see
Attachment
1);
 prescribe an updated list of services not
considered to be veterinary services that
are restricted to registered veterinarians
(which now lists cleaning and rasping the teeth
of horses with a manual tooth rasp; removing
loose tooth caps from horses; and scaling and
polishing the teeth of animals, as procedures
that may be performed by non-veterinarians);
(see Attachment 2);
 outline exclusions from section 24 (ie the
offences section) of the Veterinarians Act
that provide guidance for veterinarians on the
circumstances in which veterinary drugs and
chemicals may be administered by nonveterinarians (see Attachment 3); and
 partially enable national recognition of
registered veterinarians in other jurisdictions
prior to amendments to the legislation (through
the elimination of prescribed fees for secondary
registration).
NEED FOR FAMILIARITY AND FULL
COMPLIANCE WITH ALL GOVERNING
LEGISLATION AND CODE OF CONDUCT
It is incumbent on all registered veterinarians to
be conversant with and abide by all
professional and statutory obligations relevant
to veterinary practice, including codes of
conduct, and to maintain current veterinary
practice standards.
Clause 1(b) of the code of conduct prescribed in
the revised Veterinarians Regulations requires
registered veterinarians “to be familiar with and
abide by all relevant legislation affecting their
professional activity and behaviour.”
Clauses
4(1)(a) and (b) require registered veterinarians to
maintain current standards of veterinary practice
and to always carry out veterinary services in
accordance with those standards and the Board’s
guidelines.
Contravention of, or failure to comply with the
Veterinarians Act, Veterinarians Regulations or a
prescribed
code
of
conduct
constitutes
“misconduct” within the meaning of section 28 of
the Veterinarians Act, which is a ground for
possible disciplinary action under the Act.
Full copies of the Veterinarians Act, Veterinarians
Regulations, the code of conduct, the guidelines
promulgated by the Veterinary Board, and all
legislation impacting on veterinary practice in the
Northern Territory are available on-line at the Board
website: www.vetboard.nt.gov.au
and copies of all Northern Territory legislation can
be viewed on the Northern Territory Government
website:
http://www.nt.gov.au/dcm/legislation/current.html
2
PRESCRIBED FEES
ANNUAL RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION
Veterinary Registration Fees are prescribed in
the Veterinarians Regulations as “revenue units”.
The monetary value of a revenue unit is reviewed
annually under the Revenue Units Act based on
the Consumer Price Index (CPI). A recent review
determined that the monetary value of a revenue
unit should be raised from $1.02 to $1.05.
Notices regarding the annual renewal of veterinary
registration for the 2013 calendar year will be
despatched to all Northern Territory registered
veterinarians at the end of October 2012.
As a result, there will be a slight increase in
Veterinary Registration Fees from 1 July
2012.
VETERINARIANS:
Primary Registration
(for majority practice in Northern Territory)
Initial Registration
$157.00 (AUD)
Annual Renewal
$105.00 (AUD)
VETERINARY SPECIALISTS:
Primary Registration
(for majority practice in Northern Territory)
Initial Registration
$210.00 (AUD)
Annual Renewal
$157.00 (AUD)
The National Recognition of Veterinary
Registration (NRVR) cannot be fully adopted until
the Veterinarians Act is amended. However,
amendments to the Veterinarians Regulations
that commenced on 3 August 2012 have
resulted in NO FEES being payable for
secondary registration (ie registration to
undertake locum/periodic practice in the
Northern Territory).
In the interim, it is still necessary to lodge an
application
to
apply
for
secondary
registration or to renew existing secondary
registration.
Predicted Increase in Fees for Primary
Registration
As the fees for secondary registration have been
cancelled, it is likely that the fees for primary
registration will be increased to a level similar to
those charged in other jurisdictions following
commencement of the amended Veterinarians
Act.
By way of comparison, the fees for annual
renewal of veterinary registration elsewhere in
Australia are currently:
$148.95 (Queensland); $201.60 (Tasmania);
$235 (New South Wales); $375 (South Aust)
$365 (Western Aust); and $435 (Victoria).
Completed applications and the payment of the
annual fee should be submitted to the Board by
Monday 31 December 2012.
Fees Payable:
Primary Registration (for majority practice in the
Northern Territory)
The prescribed annual
registration is $105.00.
fee
for
primary
There is NO FEE for the annual renewal of
Secondary Registration in the Northern Territory.
However, it is essential that veterinarians who
wish to retain secondary registration to
undertake locum/periodic practice in the
Northern Territory during the 2013 calendar
year, complete and submit the prescribed
annual renewal of registration form and
declaration to provide the Board with current
details for inclusion on the Northern Territory
Veterinary Register. Failure to do so will result
in cancellation of secondary registration.
Veterinarians who do not wish to renew their
registration to practise in the Northern Territory
should advise the Board in writing by e-mail,
facsimile or post.
BOARD GUIDELINES
The Board is empowered under section 6(e) of the
Veterinarians Act to issue guidelines on standards
in relation to the provision of veterinary services
that must be observed by registered veterinarians
and veterinary specialists.
Clause 4(1)(b) of the Code of Conduct at Schedule
2 of the Veterinarians Regulations, which
commenced on 3 August 2012, requires that
registered veterinarians must always carry out
veterinary services in accordance with current
standards of veterinary practice and in accordance
with the Board’s guidelines.
Registered veterinarians therefore have a
professional and statutory responsibility to be
familiar with the Board’s guidelines and to apply the
guidance they provide. The guidelines outline what
the Board considers to be the minimum acceptable
standard expected from a registered veterinarian
exercising reasonable skill and care in the course
of providing treatment to animals.
3
The Board’s long-standing Guidelines on Record
Keeping, Anaesthesia and Staff have been
revised to incorporate relevant references to the
new Code of Conduct included in the up-dated
Veterinarians Regulations. Following consultation
with registrants and other stakeholders, the
Board has now settled its Guidelines on Minimum
Standards for Veterinary Premises and
Guidelines on Minimum Standards for HouseCall Practices.
It is intended that the Board’s proposed
development of guidelines on minimum
standards for mobile clinics and the provision of
veterinary services in remote communities will be
subject to further consultation.
The Board’s Guidelines are published on the
Veterinary Board website at:
http://www.nt.gov.au/ and
copied at Attachment 4 to this Newsletter,
together with the Advisory Note on Prescribing
Obligations, which is copied at Attachment 5
to this Newsletter.
OBLIGATION UNDER SECTION 45 OF
THE VETERINARIANS ACT TO NOTIFY
BOARD OF CIVIL CLAIMS
Northern Territory registered veterinarians are
reminded of the following requirement to report
civil claims to the Veterinary Board:
REGISTRATION STATISTICS
In the 2011/2012 financial year the Board received
and approved 38 applications for registration. Of
these, 12 applications were lodged under the
Veterinarians Act, 26 were lodged under the Mutual
Recognition Act (MRA) and 1 was lodged under the
Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act (TTMRA).
Registration under the MRA and the TTMRA
provide an alternative pathway to registration
that requires registration authorities to
“mutually recognise” the applicant’s current
veterinary registration and good professional
standing in another State or Territory in
Australia or in New Zealand as a sufficient
qualification for the grant of registration under
local laws.
A total of 16 applicants were granted primary
registration for majority practice in the Northern
Territory, 20 were granted secondary registration to
undertaken locum/periodic practice in the Northern
Territory and 2 were granted “deemed” only
registration to undertake a brief period of practice
as volunteers in the animal health program
operating in remote Indigenous communities.
The majority of the applications determined in the
2011-12 financial year were from graduates from
Australian Veterinary Schools, with the exceptions
being 1 graduate from Glasgow and 1 from Bristol.
The breakdown was as follows:
“45
Registered veterinarian to notify
Board of civil claims
Where a person has claimed damages or
other compensation from a registered
veterinarian for alleged negligence or other
misconduct in the provision of veterinary
services, the veterinarian shall, not later than
28 days after:
(a) being ordered by a court to pay
damages or compensation in respect
of the claim; or
(b) making an agreement to pay an
amount of money in settlement of the
claim, whether with or without a
denial of liability,
inform the Board in writing of the claim and of
the terms of the order or agreement.
Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.
 Melbourne x 12
 Murdoch (Western Australia) x 11
 Sydney x 6
 Queensland x 5
 James Cook (Queensland) x 1
 Charles Sturt (Wagga Wagga) x 1
 Glasgow x 1
 Bristol x 1
As at 30 June 2012, there were 188
veterinarians registered to practise in the
Northern Territory. Of these,116 held primary
registration for majority practice in the Northern
Territory and 72 held secondary registration for
locum/periodic practice in the Territory. The latter
includes 6 veterinary specialists.
4
VETERINARY BOARD OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
SEPTEMBER 2012 NEWSLETTER - ATTACHMENTS
Extracts from Veterinarians Regulations as in force from 3 August 2012
Attachment 1
CODE OF CONDUCT
Attachment 2
SERVICES PRESCRIBED NOT TO BE
VETERINARY SERVICES
Attachment 3
EXCLUSION FROM SECTION 24 OF VETERINARIANS ACT
Plus
Attachment 4
Attachment 5
BOARD GUIDELINES (x 5)
ADVISORY NOTE ON PRESCRIBING OBLIGATIONS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Relevant Extracts From Veterinarians Act
Part 4 – Offences of practising unregistered
Section 24 (1) provides that “a person shall not provide a veterinary service
unless
the person is a registered veterinarian”.
However, Section 24 (3) allows for the making of regulations that may exclude a
class or description of veterinary services that do not apply to this restriction and
the circumstances in which other persons may be authorised to provide certain
veterinary services without breaching the Act.
The current exclusions prescribed in the revised Veterinarians Regulations are
outlined at Attachment 2 and 3.
COMPLIANCE WITH PROFESSIONAL AND STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS
AND MAINTENANCE OF CURRENT STANDARDS OF VETERINARY PRACTICE
It is incumbent on all registered veterinarians to:
(1) be conversant with and abide by all professional and statutory obligations relevant
to their veterinary practice, including the prescribed code of conduct;
(2) maintain current standards of veterinary practice; and
(3) always carry out veterinary services in accordance with these current standards
and the Board’s guidelines.
Full copies of the Veterinarians Act, Veterinarians Regulations, the code of conduct,
the guidelines promulgated by the Veterinary Board, and all legislation impacting on
veterinary practice in the Northern Territory are available on-line at the Board website:
www.vetboard.nt.gov.au
and copies of all Northern Territory legislation can be viewed on the Northern Territory
Government website: http://www.nt.gov.au/dcm/legislation/current.html
5
Schedule 2
Code of conduct
Attachment 1
section 53(3)
regulation 9
1
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
(1) The basic principles of professional conduct for a registered veterinarian
are:
(a)
to recommend appropriate preventative measures and provide suitable
management and treatment for diseases and conditions; and
(b)
to be familiar with and abide by all relevant legislation affecting their
professional activity and behaviour; and
(c)
to have as the primary concern the welfare of animals; and
(d)
to maintain professional standards to the level expected by:
(i)
other registered veterinarians; and
(ii)
users of veterinary services; and
(iii) the public.
(2) Although actions may be influenced by consideration of a client's
commercial, financial, emotional or other circumstances, a registered
veterinarian must not condone animal suffering or be a party to it.
2
WELFARE OF ANIMALS MUST BE CONSIDERED
A registered veterinarian must at all times consider the welfare of animals
when practising veterinary science. A registered veterinarian must handle
animals with a minimum of stress and a maximum of care and encourage
people to handle animals as gently and safely as circumstances allow. Pain
relief should be used when appropriate.
3
NO REFUSAL OF PAIN RELIEF
(1) A registered veterinarian must not refuse to provide relief of pain or
suffering to an animal that is in his or her presence.
Page 1 of 8
6
(2) In this clause:
relief, in relation to pain or suffering, includes:
4
(a)
first aid treatment; or
(b)
timely referral to another registered veterinarian; or
(c)
euthanasia, as appropriate.
KNOWLEDGE OF CURRENT STANDARD OF PRACTICE
(1) A registered veterinarian must:
(a)
maintain knowledge of the current standards of the practice of
veterinary surgery or veterinary medicine in the areas of veterinary
science relevant to his or her practice; and
(b)
always carry out veterinary services in accordance with those current
standards and in accordance with the Board's guidelines.
(2) A registered veterinarian must base professional decisions on evidencebased science or well-recognised current practice, or both.
5
STAFF
A registered veterinarian who:
(a)
employs a person other than a registered veterinarian to assist in the
provision of veterinary services; or
(b)
is responsible for the supervision of a person other than a registered
veterinarian who is so employed;
must ensure to the best of his or her ability that the person carries out the
duties of his or her employment effectively and in compliance with any law
relating to the provision of veterinary services.
6
UTILISATION OF SKILLS OF COLLEAGUES
A registered veterinarian should practise within the limits of his or her
knowledge and expertise and must utilise the skills of colleagues, by
consultation or referral, when appropriate.
Page 2 of 8
7
7
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
A registered veterinarian must not mislead, deceive or behave in such a
way as to have an adverse effect on the standing of any registered
veterinarian or the veterinary profession.
8
INFORMED CONSENT
A registered veterinarian must, where it is practicable to do so, obtain the
informed consent of the person responsible for the care of an animal before
providing veterinary services to the animal. Informed consent may be
verbal or in writing. If the informed consent is verbal, a record of the verbal
conversation should be kept.
9
AVAILABILITY TO CARE FOR ANIMAL
A registered veterinarian must, when accepting an animal for diagnosis or
treatment:
(a)
(b)
(c)
10
ensure that he or she is available for the ongoing care of the animal; or
if he or she will not be available, make arrangements for another
registered veterinarian to take over the care of the animal; or
if the diagnosis or treatment is done in a remote community (for
example, monthly clinics in remote towns or an indigenous community)
– be available by telephone contact at all times.
REFERRALS AND SECOND OPINIONS
A registered veterinarian must not refuse a request by a person responsible
for the care of an animal for a referral or second opinion.
11
PROVISION OF RECORDS
A registered veterinarian who has previously treated an animal must, when
requested to do so, and with the consent of the person responsible for the
care of the animal, provide copies or originals of the case history records
directly to another registered veterinarian who has taken over the treatment
of the animal.
Page 3 of 8
8
12
RETURN OF RECORDS
A registered veterinarian to whom another registered veterinarian has
referred an animal for treatment or a second opinion must return the records
provided by the referring registered veterinarian as soon as practicable.
13
CONFIDENTIALITY
Except as required by this code of conduct or obligations under legislation,
including to report a notifiable disease, a registered veterinarian must
maintain the confidentiality of information obtained in the course of
professional practice.
14
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EQUIPMENT OF ASSISTANTS
A registered veterinarian must ensure that all persons assisting in the
provision of veterinary services to animals in his or her care have the skills,
knowledge and available equipment to enable the registered veterinarian to
perform his or her duties according to the current standards of the practice
of veterinary science, except in the case of an emergency.
15
KNOWLEDGE OF THE RULES OF ANIMAL SPORTING
ORGANISATIONS
A registered veterinarian must maintain knowledge of the rules of an animal
sporting organisation when attending on that organisation or working within
the industry to which it relates (unless the code or rules
are contrary to the Veterinarians Act, these Regulations or any other
legislation).
16
RECORDS
(1) A registered veterinarian must ensure that a detailed record of any
consultation, procedure or treatment is made as soon as is practicable.
(2) The Board has the power to audit records.
Page 4 of 8
9
(3) The record must:
(a)
be legible and in sufficient detail to enable another registered
veterinarian to continue the treatment of the animal; and
(b)
include the results of any diagnostic tests, analysis and treatments.
(4) A registered veterinarian must ensure that all records of any consultation,
procedure or treatment are retained for at least 3 years after the records are
made.
17
FEES FOR VETERINARY SERVICES
A registered veterinarian must, where it is practicable to do so and before
providing veterinary services in relation to an animal, inform the person
responsible for the care of the animal of:
18
(a)
the nature, purpose, benefits, effects and risks of the veterinary
services and options for alternative veterinary services; and
(b)
the estimated cost of those services.
CERTIFICATION BY REGISTERED VETERINARIANS
(1) A registered veterinarian must not certify to any fact within his or her
professional expertise or knowledge, or that a veterinary service has been
provided, unless the registered veterinarian has personal knowledge of the
fact or has personally provided, or supervised the provision of, the
veterinary service.
(2) Any certification by a registered veterinarian must contain the detail that is
necessary to ensure that it is complete and accurate and that the meaning
is clear.
19
CORRECTION OF GENETIC DEFECTS
A registered veterinarian must not perform a surgical operation for the
correction of an inheritable defect, or provide medical treatment for an
inheritable disease, unless the primary purpose of the operation or
treatment is to relieve or prevent pain or discomfort to an animal.
Page 5 of 8
10
20
SPECIAL INTEREST AREAS
Before undertaking practice in a particular area of veterinary science, a
registered veterinarian must ensure that he or she has the knowledge and
competence necessary to practise in that area.
21
INFORMATION TO BE GIVEN WHERE DRUGS PROVIDED OR
PRESCRIBED
A registered veterinarian who provides a client with a drug, or a prescription
for a drug, for an animal, must give the client proper directions with respect
to the administration of the drug, and advise the client of any safety or other
precautions that should be taken in connection with the drug and of any
withholding period that may be applicable.
22
SUPPLY OF RESTRICTED SUBSTANCES
(1) A registered veterinarian may only supply a restricted substance:
(a)
(b)
to a person responsible for the care of an animal that the registered
veterinarian has physically examined or has under his or her direct
care or has made enquiries about the animal and decided that the
restricted substance is required to be administered; or
with the authority of another registered veterinarian who has physically
examined the animal or has the animal under his or her direct care,
and only in respect of that animal.
(2) A registered veterinarian must not obtain any restricted substances in order
to take that substance himself or herself.
(3) In this clause:
restricted substance means a restricted Schedule 4 substance or a
restricted Schedule 8 substance as defined in the Poisons and Dangerous
Drugs Act.
23
INDUCEMENTS
A registered veterinarian must not provide a referral or recommendation if
the request for the referral or recommendation is accompanied by an
inducement to the registered veterinarian.
Page 6 of 8
11
24
PROHIBITED PROCEDURES
(1) A registered veterinarian must not carry out a prohibited procedure on an
animal unless he or she is satisfied the procedure is a reasonable and
necessary therapeutic measure in the treatment of a disease from which the
animal is suffering, or if the procedure is not carried out, it will be necessary
to induce euthanasia in the animal.
(2) In this clause:
prohibited procedure means a prohibited procedure as defined in section
9 of the Animal Welfare Act. (Refer to extract from the Animal Welfare
Act quoted on page 8.)
25
VETERINARY PREMISES
A registered veterinarian must ensure that any premises at which he or she
provides veterinary services, and all equipment that he or she has for use in
carrying out the veterinary services, are kept in a safe and clean condition.
26
ATTENDANCE BY VETERINARIAN AT VETERINARY PREMISES
A registered veterinarian must not permit the use of his or her name in
connection with the provision of veterinary services at a particular premises
unless the registered veterinarian, or a person appointed to provide
veterinary services on his or her behalf, is in regular attendance at the
premises during the hours advertised for the provision of the veterinary
services at the premises.
27
ETHICAL COMPETITIVE BEHAVIOUR
A registered veterinarian who:
(a) has acted as locum tenens of, or assistant to, another registered
veterinarian; or
(b) has been a prospective purchaser of the practice of another
veterinarian;
must not use any information obtained by him or her in that capacity, or take
advantage of acquaintances made by him or her in that capacity with clients
of the other registered veterinarian, in establishing a practice in competition
with the other registered veterinarian.
Page 7 of 8
12
28
COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LEGISLATION
A registered veterinarian must comply with other relevant legislation, as
amended from time to time, including the following:
(a)
Poisons and Dangerous Drugs Act;
(b)
Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act;
(c)
Animal Welfare Act.
Extract from Animal Welfare Act – 9
Prohibited procedures
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person must not:
(a)
dock the tail of an animal;
(b)
crop the ears of an animal;
(c)
remove the claws of an animal other than the dew claws of a dog less
than 5 days old;
(d)
remove the voice of an animal;
(e)
disable a bird by means of pinioning; or
(f)
engage in horse firing.
(2) Subject to the Veterinarians Act and the Veterinarians Regulations, a
veterinarian may perform a procedure referred to in subsection (1) if
he or she is of the opinion that it is reasonable and necessary to do
so.
Page 8 of 8
13
Attachment 2
6
Services prescribed not to be veterinary services
(1) For the definition veterinary services in section 3 of the Act, the following
services are not veterinary services:
(a)
dehorning cattle or buffalo that are less than 12 months old;
(b)
castrating cattle, buffalo or camels that are less than 12 months old;
(c)
castrating goats or sheep that are less than 6 months old;
(d)
tailing lambs that are less than 6 months old;
(e)
mulesing sheep;
(f)
vaccinating animals kept in the course of primary production with a
registered veterinary chemical product in accordance with the label;
(g)
implanting cattle with a hormonal growth promotant that is a registered
veterinary chemical product in accordance with the label;
(h)
pregnancy testing of cattle or buffalo by rectal examination or another
technique approved by the Chief Inspector;
(i)
treatment of internal or external parasites except by naso-gastric
intubation;
(j)
spaying cattle using the Willis Dropped Ovary Technique with the
written approval of the Chief Inspector;
(k)
non-surgical artificial insemination of cattle, sheep, goats or pigs;
(l)
cleaning and rasping the teeth of horses with a manual tooth rasp;
(m) removing loose tooth caps from horses;
(n)
scaling and polishing the teeth of animals.
(2) In this regulation:
label, see section 4 of the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of
Use) Act.
registered veterinary chemical product, see section 4 of the Agricultural
and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act.
Page 1 of 1
14
Attachment 3
7
Exclusion from section 24 of the Act
(1) Section 24 of the Act does not apply to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the treatment of an animal by a health practitioner if:
(i)
a registered veterinarian has examined the animal before the
treatment is undertaken; and
(ii)
the treatment is carried out under the direct supervision of the
veterinarian; or
the administration to an animal by a person of the following:
(i)
a substance in accordance with a permit under the Poisons and
Dangerous Drugs Act;
(ii)
a registered or unregistered veterinary chemical product in
accordance with the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals
(Control of Use) Act; or
the administration by a person of a Schedule 4 substance as defined
in of the Poisons and Dangerous Drugs Act, to an animal where a
registered veterinarian:
(i)
has made enquiries about the animal and decided that the
Schedule 4 substance is required to be administered; and
(ii)
is satisfied that the person who is to administer the Schedule 4
substance is competent to do so; and
(iii)
has supplied or prescribed the Schedule 4 substance and given
full directions with respect to its administration; or
(d)
anything done by an inspector within the meaning of the Livestock Act
in the exercise of a power conferred by that Act; or
(e)
the veterinary services to be carried out under a permit held by a
person to conduct a teaching or research program under the Animal
Welfare Act; or
(f)
the provision of a veterinary service in an emergency, where a
registered veterinarian is not reasonably available.
Page 1 of 2
15
(2) A reference in subregulation (1) to a registered veterinarian does not
include a reference to a person having limited registration as a veterinarian.
(3) In this regulation:
health practitioner means:
(a)
a medical practitioner; or
(b)
a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National
Law to practise the chiropractic, dental or physiotherapy profession
(other than as a student).
Page 2 of 2
16
Attachment 4
Veterinary Board of the Northern Territory
GUIDELINES ON STANDARDS TO BE OBSERVED BY REGISTERED
VETERINARIANS AND VETERINARY SPECIALISTS IN AND IN CONNECTION
WITH THE PROVISION OF VETERINARY SERVICES
ISSUED PURSUANT TO SECTION 6(1)(e) OF THE VETERINARIANS ACT

GUIDELINES ON RECORD KEEPING

GUIDELINES ON ANAESTHESIA

GUIDELINES ON STAFF

GUIDELINES ON MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR VETERINARY PREMISES

GUIDELINES ON MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR HOUSE-CALL PRACTICES
17
VETERINARY BOARD OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
GUIDELINES ON RECORD KEEPING
LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT
Veterinarians Act
The Board is empowered under section 6(e) of the Veterinarians Act to issue guidelines
on standards in relation to the provision of veterinary services that must be observed by
registered veterinarians and veterinary specialists.
Failure to uphold or maintain contemporary professional standards constitutes
incompetence within the meaning of misconduct as defined in section 28 of the
Veterinarians Act.
Code of Conduct – Regulation 9 - Veterinarians Regulations
The Code of Conduct prescribed at Regulation 9 of the Veterinarians Regulations
requires registered veterinarians to be familiar with and abide by all legislation pertaining
to veterinary practice; to maintain current standards of practice in their chosen areas of
veterinary practice; and to carry out all veterinary services in accordance with the
Board’s guidelines.
Specifically,
Clause 1 – BASIC PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
includes the requirement under 1(1)(b) for registered veterinarians to be familiar
with and abide by all relevant legislation affecting their professional activity and
behaviour (which includes the Veterinarians Act, Veterinarians Regulations, the Code
of Conduct, and the Board’s Guidelines).
Clause 4 - KNOWLEDGE OF CURRENT STANDARD OF PRACTICE
provides at 4(1) that a registered veterinarian must maintain current standards of
veterinary practice in their areas of veterinary practice and requires at 4(1)(b) that
registered veterinarians “always carry out veterinary services in accordance
with those current standards and in accordance with the Board’s guidelines.”
Clauses 11, 12 and 16 of the Code of Conduct prescribe the following requirements
on the provision, return and the maintenance of veterinary records:
Clause 11
PROVISION OF RECORDS
“A registered veterinarian who has previously treated an animal must, when requested
to do so, and with the consent of the person responsible for the care of the animal,
provide copies or originals of the case history records directly to another registered
veterinarian who has taken over the treatment of the animal.”
18
Clause 12
RETURN OF RECORDS
“A registered veterinarian to whom another registered veterinarian has referred
an animal for treatment or a second opinion must return the records provided by
the referring registered veterinarians as soon as practicable.
Clause 16
RECORDS
(1)
A registered veterinarian must ensure that a detailed record of any
consultation, procedure or treatment is made as soon as practicable.
(2)
The Board has the power to audit records.
(3)
The record must:
(a)
(b)
(4)
Be legible and in sufficient detail to enable another registered
veterinarian to continue the treatment of the animal; and
Include the results of any diagnostic tests, analysis and treatments.
A registered veterinarian must ensure that all records of any consultation,
procedure or treatment are retained for at least 3 years after the records
are made.
GUILDELINES UNDER SECTION 6(e) OF THE VETERINARIANS ACT
RECORD KEEPING
(1)
Contemporary professional standards for veterinary practice require that
case notes should provide sufficient details to enable another veterinarian
to continue the treatment of the animal at any time.
This includes (but is not necessarily limited to) full details of:
-
any condition or injury
any examination, procedure, treatment
any provisional or definitive diagnosis
the results of any diagnostic tests
estimates on likely extent and cost of treatment, given prior to treatment
(as required by clause 17 of the Code of Conduct)
any drugs prescribed and directions provided
instructions given when the animal is discharged
any drugs administered (including amount and route)
anaesthetics given.
19
(2)
Records on Anaesthesia
The Board does expect anaesthetics to be monitored eg heart rate, respiration rate,
gum colour, palpable reflex etc. It is accepted that in some emergency situations this
is not always possible. However, for routine procedures requiring anaesthetics an
assistant is required. The Board does expect the drug, time and route given, to be
recorded. (See separate Guidelines on Anaesthesia).
In addition, veterinarians are required under section 48 of the Poisons and Dangerous
Drugs Act (and its soon to be enacted replacement, the Medicines, Poisons and
Therapeutic Goods Act) to maintain a register recording details of the supply or
administration of controlled drugs.
(3)
Board Reliance on Accuracy of Case Notes
When a question of conflicting information arises, the Board will rely on the accuracy
of the case notes. If there is no written record of the action a veterinarian says was
undertaken, the Board will assume that it has not been done.
The case notes are an excellent opportunity for veterinarians to express their logic
and efforts to do their best for a pet and its owner. Without them, the Board has
to determine the likely chain of events, relying on the memory of both parties. There
is no logical reason to solely believe the memory of a veterinarian who sees dozens
of clients per day, over a client who probably saw only one veterinarian on that day.
(4)
The Case for More Comprehensive Records
The Veterinary Board is not the last point of call and cases can be taken to court.
For this reason veterinarians may choose to keep even more comprehensive records.
For example time and summaries of telephone calls, outlines of conversations in the
consults, itemised written quotes (supplied to pet owners) and recorded anaesthetic
monitoring would be useful. These practices may well avoid complaints in the first
place. They would supply evidence of what actually happened and reduce the
reliance on memory.
(5)
Summary of Statutory and Professional Responsibilities for Upholding
Contemporary Veterinary Standards in relation to Record Keeping
In summary, individual veterinarians have a statutory and professional responsibility
to uphold and maintain contemporary veterinary standards, which include record
keeping. In turn, employing veterinarians are responsible for the standard of the
clinical notes in their respective veterinary clinics.
20
Please Note:
Practitioners should read these Guidelines in conjunction with the Code of
Conduct prescribed in the Veterinarians Regulations and the additional
Guidelines published by the Board under Section 6(e) of the Veterinarians
Act on the Minimum Standards for:




Anaesthesia
Staff
Veterinary Premises
House-Call Practices
Copies can be accessed from the Board website: www.vetboard.nt.gov.au
Date Last Reviewed - September 2012
21
VETERINARY BOARD OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
GUIDELINES ON ANAESTHESIA
LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT
Veterinarians Act
The Board is empowered under section 6(e) of the Veterinarians Act to issue guidelines
on standards in relation to the provision of veterinary services that must be observed by
registered veterinarians and veterinary specialists.
Failure to uphold or maintain contemporary professional standards constitutes
incompetence within the meaning of misconduct as defined in section 28 of the
Veterinarians Act.
Code of Conduct – Regulation 9 - Veterinarians Regulations
The Code of Conduct prescribed at Regulation 9 of the Veterinarians Regulations
requires registered veterinarians to be familiar with and abide by all legislation pertaining
to veterinary practice; to maintain current standards of practice in their chosen areas of
veterinary practice; and to carry out all veterinary services in accordance with the
Board’s guidelines.
Specifically,
Clause 1 – BASIC PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
includes the requirement under 1(1)(b) for registered veterinarians to be familiar
with and abide by all relevant legislation affecting their professional activity and
behaviour (which includes the Veterinarians Act, Veterinarians Regulations, the Code
of Conduct, and the Board’s Guidelines).
Clause 4 - KNOWLEDGE OF CURRENT STANDARD OF PRACTICE
provides at 4(1) that a registered veterinarian must maintain current standards of
veterinary practice in their areas of veterinary practice and requires at 4(1)(b) that
registered veterinarians “always carry out veterinary services in accordance
with those current standards and in accordance with the Board’s guidelines.”
22
GUILDELINES UNDER SECTION 6(e) OF THE VETERINARIANS ACT
ANAESTHESIA
With current technology and drugs, anaesthetic complications are rare and
deaths even rarer. Diligent monitoring will avert most anaesthetic deaths.
The Board does not expect all veterinarians to have state of the art anaesthetic
monitoring equipment, but does expect anaesthetics to be monitored.
The Board accepts that in some emergency situations this is not possible.
However, for routine procedures within normal business hours, the Board
would expect that a second person would be available to assist.
The Board does expect the drug, dosage, time and route of administration
to be recorded in the clinical notes. (See Guidelines on Minimum Standards
for Record Keeping.)
In addition, veterinarians are required under section 48 of the Poisons and Dangerous
Drugs Act (and its soon to be enacted replacement, the Medicines, Poisons and
Therapeutic Goods Act) to maintain a register recording details
of the supply or administration of controlled drugs, including the reason for
the supply or administration.
______________________________________________________________
Please Note:
Practitioners should read these Guidelines in conjunction with the Code of
Conduct prescribed in the Veterinarians Regulations and the additional
Guidelines published by the Board under Section 6(e) of the Veterinarians
Act on the Minimum Standards for:




Record Keeping
Staff
Veterinary Premises
House-Call Practices
Copies can be accessed from the Board website: www.vetboard.nt.gov.au
Date Last Reviewed - September 2012
23
VETERINARY BOARD OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
GUIDELINES ON STAFF
LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT
Veterinarians Act
The Board is empowered under section 6(e) of the Veterinarians Act to issue guidelines
on standards in relation to the provision of veterinary services that
must be observed by registered veterinarians and veterinary specialists.
Failure to uphold or maintain contemporary professional standards constitutes
incompetence within the meaning of misconduct as defined in section 28 of the
Veterinarians Act.
Code of Conduct – Regulation 9 - Veterinarians Regulations
The Code of Conduct prescribed at Regulation 9 of the Veterinarians Regulations
requires registered veterinarians to be familiar with and abide by all legislation pertaining
to veterinary practice; to maintain current standards of practice in their chosen areas of
veterinary practice; and to carry out all veterinary services in accordance with the
Board’s guidelines.
Specifically,
Clause 1
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
includes the requirement under 1(1)(b) for registered veterinarians to be familiar
with and abide by all relevant legislation affecting their professional activity and
behaviour (which includes the Veterinarians Act, Veterinarians Regulations, the Code
of Conduct, and the Board’s Guidelines).
Clause 4
KNOWLEDGE OF CURRENT STANDARD OF PRACTICE
provides at 4(1) that a registered veterinarian must maintain current standards
of veterinary practice in their areas of veterinary practice and requires at 4(1)(b) that
registered veterinarians “always carry out veterinary services in accordance
with those current standards and in accordance with the Board’s guidelines.”
Clause 5
STAFF - provides that:
“A registered veterinarian who”
(a)
(b)
employs a person other than a registered veterinarian to assist in the provision of
veterinary services; or
is responsible for the supervision of a person other than a registered veterinarian
who is so employed;
must ensure to the best of his or her ability that the person carries out the duties
of his or her employment effectively and in compliance with any law relating to
the provision of veterinary services.”
24
Clause 14
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EQUIPMENT OF ASSISTANTS
“A registered veterinarian must ensure that all persons assisting in the provision
of veterinary services to animals in his or her care have the skills, knowledge and
available equipment to enable the registered veterinarian to perform his or her
duties according to the current standards of the practice of veterinary science,
except in case of an emergency.”
GUIDELINES UNDER SECTION 6(e) OF THE VETERINARIANS ACT
STAFF
(1)
Employees
Employed veterinarians should be aware of their competencies and encouraged
to seek assistance within the practice whenever they find themselves at the limit
of their own experience and knowledge.
(2)
Employers
Employers have a key role in ensuring the competency of their employees.
This is particularly important in relation to newly registered or inexperienced
veterinarians.
Employers have an obligation to ensure that their employees have sufficient surgical,
medical and communication skills to meet contemporary professional standards.
The practice culture should facilitate and encourage:

formal and informal discussion and feedback on cases and
the expectations of clients;

guidance on adherence to established practice protocols
and procedures; and

general compliance with all governing legislation
(including the scope of practice permitted by non-veterinary staff).
Performance management systems may need to be put in place in situations where a
veterinary employee continues to make errors or demonstrates poor practice such as
a lack of skill or knowledge or poor judgement.
25
(3)
Vicarious Liability
Employers may be responsible for the acts or omissions of their employees. Under
common law, an employer may be vicariously liable for negligent acts carried out by
employees in the course of their employment if the acts are authorised or seen as a
mode of doing something that is authorised.
It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that the requirements of the Act and
regulations, and all legislation impacting on veterinary practice, are complied with.
Employers should recognise that they have an obligation to guide and assist the
veterinarians they employ, particularly recent graduates.
Please Note:
Practitioners should read these Guidelines in conjunction with the Code of
Conduct prescribed in the Veterinarians Regulations and the additional
Guidelines published by the Board under Section 6(e) of the Veterinarians
Act on the Minimum Standards for:




Anaesthesia
Record Keeping
Veterinary Premises
House-Call Practices
Copies can be accessed from the Board website: www.vetboard.nt.gov.au
Date Last Reviewed - September 2012
26
VETERINARY BOARD OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
GUIDELINES ON MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR
VETERINARY PREMISES
LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT
Veterinarians Act
The Board is empowered under section 6(e) of the Veterinarians Act to issue guidelines
on standards in relation to the provision of veterinary services that must be observed by
registered veterinarians and veterinary specialists.
Failure to uphold or maintain contemporary professional standards constitutes
incompetence within the meaning of misconduct as defined in section 28 of the
Veterinarians Act.
Code of Conduct – Regulation 9 - Veterinarians Regulations
The Code of Conduct prescribed at Regulation 9 of the Veterinarians Regulations
requires registered veterinarians to be familiar with and abide by all legislation pertaining
to veterinary practice; to maintain current standards of practice in their chosen areas of
veterinary practice; and to carry out all veterinary services in accordance with the
Board’s guidelines.
Specifically,
Clause 1 – BASIC PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
includes the requirement under 1(1)(b) for registered veterinarians to be familiar
with and abide by all relevant legislation affecting their professional activity and
behaviour (which includes the Veterinarians Act, Veterinarians Regulations, the Code
of Conduct, and the Board’s Guidelines).
Clause 4 - KNOWLEDGE OF CURRENT STANDARD OF PRACTICE
provides at 4(1) that a registered veterinarian must maintain current standards of
veterinary practice in their areas of veterinary practice and requires at 4(1)(b) that
registered veterinarians “always carry out veterinary services in accordance with
those current standards and in accordance with the Board’s guidelines.”
Clause 25 – VETERINARY PREMISES - provides that:
“A registered veterinarian shall ensure that any premises at which he or she
provides veterinary services, and all equipment that he or she has for use in the
carrying out of veterinary services, are kept in a safe and clean condition.”
27
GUIDELINES UNDER SECTION 6(e) OF THE VETERINARIANS ACT
MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR VETERINARY PREMISES
Registered veterinary practitioners should ensure that they are familiar with the
contents of this Guideline. The Board determines this Guideline to be the minimum
standard expected from a registered veterinary practitioner exercising reasonable skill
and care in the course of providing treatment to animals.
Definition
For the purpose of this Guideline the definition of veterinary premises is any building
or place in Darwin, Palmerston, the Darwin rural areas of Howard Springs and Humpty
Doo, Katherine and Alice Springs, where veterinary procedures are performed. This
includes all fixed premises from large hospitals to consulting rooms, and includes
rooms embedded in other business premises. Whilst veterinary premises may be
owned by any person or company, the Veterinary Board of the Northern Territory
determines that it is the responsibility of registered veterinarians employed in or by the
practice to ensure that the premises meet certain minimum standards.
GENERAL STANDARDS
All veterinary premises, including consulting rooms, clinics and hospitals shall:
(A)
be clean and hygienic at all times;
(B)
have on prominent display, the telephone number and days and hours
of attendance and arrangements for obtaining after hours services;
(C) have a separate area for use as a waiting room and for the purpose of
client reception;
(D) have internal floors and walls constructed from easily cleaned material
in any area or room that is used for animal accommodation, surgical
procedures, medical treatment and other procedures, and in the client
waiting rooms;
(E)
provide facilities to weigh small animal patients;
(F)
provide for the maintenance of thorough patient records.
(G) provide in the consulting area:
(i)
an examination table with impervious surfaces; and
provide either in or immediately adjacent to the consulting area:
(ii)
a basin with running water and fixed drainage;
28
(H)
have lockable storage for drugs as required by the Poisons and Dangerous
Drugs Act (or its soon to be enacted replacement Act, the Medicines, Poisons
and Therapeutic Goods Act and Regulations and the Agricultural
and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act and Regulations (or any
subsequent amendment to these regulations);
(I)
have facilities for any excreta, putrescible waste, soiled bedding and carcasses
to be stored in such a way and disposed of at intervals sufficient to avoid:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
the generation of offensive odours;
offensive appearance; and
those materials becoming a hazard to health;
(J)
provide facilities that allow for the prevention of the spread of contagious
disease between patients;
(K)
where general anaesthetics are administered, provide facilities and equipment
for inhalation anaesthesia and resuscitation of patients
(eg an emergency drug kit and the ability to give positive pressure
ventilation) and, for routine procedures within business hours, have
a trained assistant present for the purpose of anaesthetic monitoring
and to assist in maintaining sterility.
(L)
where surgical services are offered there must be facilities for adequate storage
and sterilisation of appropriate surgical instruments;
(M) meet the requirements of local authority by-laws or other regulations applicable
to veterinary premises;
(N) provide facilities for correct collection and disposal of sharps;
(O) if radiographic services are offered then the services must comply with
Occupational Health and Safety requirements and any other regulations
may be in force;
(P)
as
provide adequate cooling or heating and ventilation of any area in
which any kennel, cage, or stall is situated – individual cage heating
is acceptable;
(Q) provide kennels or cages that comply with current veterinary standards.
The cages or kennels should be made from non-porous material, be
with appropriate size for the patient, have no sharp edges or points on
which a patient can injure itself, and have an adequate latching device
so as to hold the patient securely.
(R) provide appropriate isolation facilities for:
(i)
(ii)
animals with suspected infectious diseases
animals treated with chemical or radioactive substances that may
be harmful to staff
29
ADDITIONAL STANDARDS FOR SHARED PREMISES
Where a veterinary practice is conducted on the same premises as a commercial
enterprise, such as boarding kennels and/or a grooming parlour:
(1)
The practice rooms and facilities shall be separate from those of the enterprise.
(2)
Animals coming to the surgery will be kept separate from animals coming
to the premises for other reasons.
______________________________________________________________
Please Note:
Practitioners should read these Guidelines in conjunction with the Code of
Conduct prescribed in the Veterinarians Regulations and the additional
Guidelines published by the Board under Section 6(e) of the Veterinarians
Act on the Minimum Standards for:




Anaesthesia
Record Keeping
Staff
House-Call Practices
Copies can be accessed from the Board website: www.vetboard.nt.gov.au
Date Last Reviewed - September 2012
____________________________________________________________________
___
Acknowledgement:
In developing these Guidelines, the Veterinary Board of the Northern Territory has drawn from the
Guidelines adopted by the Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria and acknowledges
the assistance provided by the Victorian Board
30
VETERINARY BOARD OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
GUIDELINES ON MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR
HOUSE CALL PRACTICES
LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT
Veterinarians Act
The Board is empowered under section 6(e) of the Veterinarians Act to issue guidelines
on standards in relation to the provision of veterinary services that must be observed by
registered veterinarians and veterinary specialists.
Failure to uphold or maintain contemporary professional standards constitutes
incompetence within the meaning of misconduct as defined in section 28 of the
Veterinarians Act.
Code of Conduct – Regulation 9 - Veterinarians Regulations
The Code of Conduct prescribed at Regulation 9 of the Veterinarians Regulations
requires registered veterinarians to be familiar with and abide by all legislation pertaining
to veterinary practice; to maintain current standards of practice in their chosen areas of
veterinary practice; and to carry out all veterinary services in accordance with the
Board’s guidelines.
Specifically,
Clause 1 – BASIC PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
includes the requirement under 1(1)(b) for registered veterinarians to be familiar
with and abide by all relevant legislation affecting their professional activity and
behaviour (which includes the Veterinarians Act, Veterinarians Regulations, the Code
of Conduct, and the Board’s Guidelines).
Clause 4 - KNOWLEDGE OF CURRENT STANDARD OF PRACTICE
provides at 4(1) that a registered veterinarian must maintain current standards of
veterinary practice in their areas of veterinary practice and requires at 4(1)(b) that
registered veterinarians “always carry out veterinary services in accordance with
those current standards and in accordance with the Board’s guidelines.”
31
GUILDELINES UNDER SECTION 6(e) OF THE VETERINARIANS ACT
MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR HOUSE CALL PRACTICES
Registered veterinary practitioners should ensure that they are familiar with the
contents of this Guideline. The Board determines this Guideline to be the minimum
standard expected from a registered veterinary practitioner exercising reasonable skill
and care in the course of providing treatment to animals.
Definition
A “House Call Practice” is a practice that primarily offers house call veterinary services
in Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine, not including visits for large animal
consultations to farms, stables or other livestock premises. (Darwin includes
Palmerston and the rural areas of Howard Springs and Humpty Doo.)
STANDARDS
(A)
A House Call Practice shall provide ready communication for the public
with the house call veterinarian(s), including arrangements for out-of-hours
and/or emergency cases.
(B)
A House Call Practice shall have access to a fixed veterinary premise
which complies with Guidelines on Minimum Standards for Veterinary Premises.
(C) When performing house calls, the veterinarian shall carry out only those
procedures for which they have suitable facilities and equipment, and
that do not require general anaesthetic. All other procedures are to be
performed at the base clinic or other suitable veterinary premises.
(D) The vehicle used for house calls shall:
(a)
be clean and hygienic at all times;
(b)
have secure storage for carrying drugs as required by the Poisons and
Dangerous Drugs Act (or its soon to be enacted replacement Act, the
Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act) and Regulations and the
Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act and Regulations
(or any subsequent amendment to these regulations);
(c)
carry adequate measures to ensure that full and accurate
contemporaneous medical records are able to be completed;
32
(d)
provide the necessary facilities for the safe transportation of patients
when required;
(e)
carry sufficient instruments and equipment for a thorough clinical
examination;
(f)
be capable of being locked and meet the requirements of all government
regulations, including the Poisons and Dangerous
Drugs Act or its soon to be enacted replacement Act, the
Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act) and Regulations,
and local government regulations.
(g)
provide facilities that allow for the prevention of spread of infectious
disease between patients and premises.
Please Note:
Practitioners should read these Guidelines in conjunction with the Code of
Conduct prescribed in the Veterinarians Regulations and the additional
Guidelines published by the Board under Section 6(e) of the Veterinarians
Act on the Minimum Standards for:




Anaesthesia
Record Keeping
Staff
Veterinary Premises
Copies can be accessed from the Board website: www.vetboard.nt.gov.au
Date Last Reviewed - September 2012
____________________________________________________________________
____
Acknowledgement:
In developing these Guidelines, the Veterinary Board of the Northern Territory has drawn from the
Guidelines adopted by the Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria and acknowledges
the assistance provided by the Victorian Board.
33
Attachment 5
Veterinary Board of the Northern Territory
ADVISORY NOTE ON PROFESSIONAL AND STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS TO BE
MET AND BORNE BY REGISTERED VETERINARIANS WHEN PRESCRIBING
DRUGS TO NON-VETERINARIANS
34
ADVISORY NOTE TO ALL NORTHERN TERRITORY REGISTERED VETERINARIANS
PROFESSIONAL AND STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS TO BE MET AND BORNE
BY VETERINARIANS WHEN PRESCRIBING DRUGS TO NON-VETERINARIANS
This advisory note is issued in response to the Board’s concerns that some veterinarians may
not be aware of the full extent of the professional and statutory obligations to be met and
borne by veterinarians when prescribing and supplying drugs to non-veterinarians and the
associated record keeping requirements.
Statutory Responsibilities
It is the duty of registered veterinarians to be aware of their responsibilities under the laws
relating to their professional practice. Clause 1(1)(b) and clause 28 of the Code of Conduct
prescribed in the Northern Territory Veterinarians Regulations require registered veterinarians
“to be familiar with and abide by all relevant legislation affecting their professional activity and
behaviour”, including the Veterinarians Act, Veterinarians Regulations, the Animal Welfare
Act, the Poisons and Dangerous Drugs Act and Regulations. and the Agricultural and
Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act and Regulations.
The Code of Conduct requires that:
 “A registered veterinarian must ensure that a detailed record of any consultation, procedure
or treatment is made as soon as is practicable” - Clause 16(1).
 The record must be legible and contain “sufficient detail to enable another registered
veterinarian to continue the treatment of the animal” - Clause 16(3).
 A registered veterinarian who provides a client with a drug, or a prescription for a drug, for
an animal, must give the client proper directions with respect to the administration of the
drug, and advise the client of any safety or other precautions that should be taken in
connection with the drug and of any withholding period that may be applicable” - Clause 21.
 A registered veterinarian must, when accepting an animal for diagnosis or treatment,
ensure that he or she is available for the on-going care of the animal or make
arrangements for another registered veterinarian to take over the care of the animal –
Clause 9.
Authority to Prescribe
A veterinarian’s authority to obtain and prescribe Schedule 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8 substances
for therapeutic use on an animal, is provided by the Poisons and Dangerous Drugs Act, which
regulates the supply, possession and use of poisons and dangerous drugs and includes
specific provisions on storage and records keeping. With this authority comes a responsibility
for veterinarians to comply with the legislation and to act in a professional manner. The
Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act and Regulations further prescribe
the duties and responsibilities expected of veterinarians in relation to controlling the use of
veterinary chemical products.
Regulation 7 - Veterinarians Regulations
Regulation Number 7 of the Veterinarians Regulations sets out the circumstances in which a
veterinarian may supply drugs to a non-veterinarian as follows:
Clause 7(1)
(b) allows for “the administration of the administration to an animal by a person of
the following:
(i) a substance in accordance with a permit under the Poisons and Dangerous Drugs
Act;
(ii) a registered or unregistered veterinary chemical product in accordance with
the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act; or
35
(c)
the administration by a person of a Schedule 4 substance as defined in of the Poisons
and Dangerous Drugs Act, to an animal where a registered veterinarian:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
has made enquiries about the animal and decided that the Schedule 4 substance
is required to be administered; and
is satisfied that the person who is to administer the Schedule 4 substance is
competent to do so; and
has supplied or prescribed the Schedule 4 substance and given full directions with
respect to its administration
A Guide to Compliance with Clause 7 - Veterinarians Regulations
As a general guide to compliance with Clause 7, in issuing such a prescription,
the veterinarian takes full responsibility for:

the sale and appropriate use of the medicine and for issuing adequate
instructions about its use in order to manage any risks to users, the public,
animals, consumers, the environment or trade

examining or making enquiries of the animal

establishing that there is a therapeutic need for the drug and that is in the
best interests of the animal/herd/flock

confirming that the amount dispensed is reasonable

dispensing only a reasonable amount of the drug to treat the immediate problem

ensuring that the medication/drug will be used properly

fulfilling requirements for storage and handling

compliance with documentation, record keeping and labelling protocols

any after care necessary for the animal’s welfare

his/her own understanding of the use of the drug and possible cautions

adhering to any additional requirements for a food producing animal , which includes
horses and crocodiles (including advising the client of the withholding period/export
slaughter interval)

having a system of follow up to check on the use of and outcome from the
medication/drug.
Appropriate Operational Procedures
It is advisable for registered veterinarians to establish appropriate operational procedures and
protocols that comply with the legislation and record keeping requirements, and address fully,
the responsibilities borne by prescribing veterinarians in exercising control, oversight and
checks on the use of the drugs they prescribe for administration by non-veterinarians.
Access to copies of relevant legislation
Veterinarians may access full copies of all legislation that impacts on veterinary practice
at the Veterinary Board’s website at www.vetboard.nt.gov.au or the Northern Territory
Government Legislation Website at www.nt.gov.au/dcm/legislation/current.html
36
Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Resource
In addition, the AVA document entitled “Guidelines for Prescribing, Authorising and
Dispensing Veterinary Medicines” is a usual resource and reference tool that can be viewed
and/or downloaded from www.ava.com.au.
Date Last Reviewed
- September 2012
37