Veterinary Law and Practice in Ireland, the “first book” to deal with the practical and legal issues that confront the veterinary profession in Ireland, has hit shop shelves.
Clarus Press, “Ireland’s largest indigenous legal publishing house”, has published Dr Lisa Geraghty MVB, MSc, BA(Hons) Law, AM, and Finola Colgan Carey’s book.
Finola is a law lecturer at the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest.
She holds the following qualifications: BA, LL.B, LL.M, a higher diploma in education, diploma in project management, a certificate in train the trainer and PG diploma in workplace health promotion.
Dr Lisa Geraghty MVB, MSc, BA (Hons) Law, AM is a veterinary practitioner. She lectures at Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest and consults on employment law compliance workplace dispute resolution in veterinary practice
The “unique” Irish publication examines current legislation and case law relevant to the veterinary profession and veterinary practice.
Veterinary Law and Practice in Ireland
According to Finola, the book came about through “a combination of events, opportunities and meeting of minds”.
The seed of the book had been lurking in her mind for some time.
She explained that it “not take much to convince Lisa to get involved in the enterprise” who brought her expertise both clinical, practical and the legislation that directly impacts the veterinary profession.
“We believe that Veterinary Law and Practice in Ireland has a unique place on the bookshelf as it addresses the application of law in an Irish setting.”
“Our objective was to bring a practical understating of the law and its special and particular relationship within the veterinary professions.”
Legal issues that are of most relevance to veterinary practice settings, such as employment law, including the importance of creating well-constructed restrictive covenants and what is expected when functioning in the role of being an expert witness, are all carefully considered.
They examine contract law matters, professional negligence, and duty of care by reflecting and taking into consideration the fact that a veterinary practitioner has a dual responsibility to their patient and its owner.
Mental health
The co-authors said these relationships can frequently raise ethical considerations, sometimes conflict, and governance matters.
Within the mix of regulatory and technical matters, they deemed it important to include a chapter on the mental health and well-being needs within the profession and veterinary practices, a topic That’s Farming recently highlighted.
Henry Abbott, Senior Counsel Judge of the High Court (retired), highlighted the following in his foreword:
“This increasingly complex (and sometimes combative) environment gives rise to stress is recognised by the chapter on self-care and well-being for vets and their staff.”
“Of topical relevance to the recent media narrative of the phenomenon known as compassion fatigue of the medical profession during Covid is the analysis of the risk of the condition arising in a veterinary practice.”
Abbott said the publication is “much more than a reference work”.
“It is a very good read for the non-technical person. Not only would they get a good overview of the detailed provisions of the law, but also, the background against which these provisions should be considered.”
“Great life is given to the discourse by the use of practical summaries for action or practical examples of the effects of particular provisions on practice,” he added.
Purchase
You can purchase the book from “leading specialist” bookshops in Ireland and directly from the publishing house (RRP €39).
