Veterinary Council of Ireland received 65 complaints in 2021
The VCI received 65 complaints relating to fitness-to-practice inquiries in 2021.
That is according to the body’s report, which indicates that this represented an increase of 27 on 2020 when it received 38 complaints/applications.
The Preliminary Investigation Committee investigate each complaint/application for an inquiry. The committee decides whether there is sufficient cause to warrant further action.
According to the VCI, the committee “determined and concluded” 63 out of 65 cases that it received.
In its annual report, it confirmed that the outstanding two cases “remain under investigation,” and the subsequent outcomes will be determined this year.
The report states that 74% of complaints in 2021 related to dogs and cats.
The report also outlines the category of complaints received in 2021 and the category of complaints determined in 2021.
Firstly, dogs made up the largest amount of category complaints, with 38, followed by cats (10).
One complaint related to cattle, while a further four were equine related.
Meanwhile, one complaint arose as a result of a failure to declare a conviction. A further three related to employment matters and eight resulted from a failure to provide evidence of professional indemnity insurance.
Fitness-to-practice
In terms of the category of complaints determined in 2021:
- Inadequate care and treatment – 33;
- Failure to provide evidence of professional indemnity insurance – 5;
- Communication: 5;
- Out of hours service: 4;
- Animal welfare: 4;
- Employment matters: 3;
- Permitting practice of veterinary medicine by unregistered persons: 2;
- Prescribing practices: 1;
- Failure to declare conviction: 1;
- Certification: 1.
Furthermore, the report states that the Fitness to Practise Committee was informed during the year that ten cases had been referred to inquiry by the Preliminary Investigation Committee.
The Fitness to Practise Committee in 2021 heard four inquiries, and the Council considered three reports from the committee.
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