Our practice is accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Practice Standards scheme, so you can be sure that we work to high standards of care and protection for our clients, both human and animal. There are many categories of RCVS accreditation, depending on the type of practice and services offered.
Here at Oaklands Veterinary Centre, we hold RCVS Equine Hospital accreditation and RCVS Small Animal General Practice accreditation, which are the schemes most appropriate for us.
What are RCVS Core Standards?
For this accreditation, we have shown total compliance with all the legal and health & safety requirements necessary for our work. This means that, among other things, we have:
- Access to 24-hour emergency cover for patients
- Appropriately trained staff (veterinary qualifications and insurance are checked)
- Maintained standards of cleanliness and hygiene
- Ensured clients are given estimates of costs of treatments and consent to procedures undertaken
What is RCVS General Practice accreditation?
These standards are specifically for practices like us because we treat small animals and equine patients.
As well as complying with RCVS Core Standards around legal and health & safety requirements, emergency cover (and more), we strive for continuous improvement and:
- Have a system for monitoring the outcome of treatments
- Show ongoing commitment to education and training
- Keep premises clean and well maintained
- Have a policy for communicating with clients and looking at feedback
- Have access to laboratory facilities for diagnostic testing
What is RCVS Equine General Practice – Ambulatory accreditation?
This accreditation recognises that we are an equine practice that operates at RCVS Core and General Practice level. While we don’t have stabling or premises for treatment, we have in all other ways reached extremely stringent criteria around legal and health & safety requirements, emergency cover, governance, monitoring treatment outcomes, and more.
What is RCVS Veterinary Hospital accreditation?
To receive this, we have met RCVS Core and General Practice standards, which cover legal and health & safety issues, among other requirements. On top of that, we also have:
- Nursing staff on the premises 24-hours
- Veterinary surgeons available 24-hours
- Demonstrated our commitment to maintain and improve clinical standard by monitoring performance and the outcome of treatments
- Specialist equipment, such as specific diagnostic equipment (ECG and ultrasound)
- Undergone meticulous inspection of our premises and facilities, with special emphasis on cleanliness and sterility
