Veterinary Practice Regulations 2022 - tranche 2

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Consultation is now closed.

Thank you to all who provided feedback to the Veterinary Practice Regulations 2022 - tranche 2 consultation.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is now reviewing the submissions. A report summarising the consultation responses will be provided on this page and communicated to consultation participants.

Background

The Veterinary Practice Act 2021 (VPA) and first tranche of the Veterinary Practice Regulations 2022 came into effect on 18 June 2022. The VPA repealed the existing Veterinary Surgeons Act 1960 (VSA) and Veterinary Surgeons Regulations 1979 (VS Regulations).

Following the VPA’s passage through the Parliament of Western Australia in October 2021, DPIRD and the Veterinary Surgeons’ Board of WA developed the first tranche of the Veterinary Practice Regulations. Tranche 1 supports the VPA’s functions but does not significantly change the day-to-day practice of veterinarians and others providing veterinary services in WA.

Tranche 2 of the Veterinary Practice Regulations, which will implement modern practices and support operational requirements of veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and their clients, is now being developed in consultation with industry and with the involvement of the new Veterinary Practice Board.

In early 2022, DPIRD undertook an initial consultation on proposed acts of veterinary medicine and regulatory options for pregnancy testing and spaying of cattle.

DPIRD is consulting further with representative industry organisations on the submissions for pregnancy testing and spaying of cattle to reach an agreed outcome. A consultation report on pregnancy testing and spaying of cattle will be provided once consultation is complete.

In response to other stakeholder feedback from the initial consultation, DPIRD developed a second consultation paper with additional information on acts of veterinary medicine requiring further industry and community consultation and on other intended key provisions of the Veterinary Practice Regulations.

Consultation process

To assist with the drafting of Tranche 2 of the Veterinary Practice Regulations, DPIRD encouraged veterinarians, veterinary nurses, animal health providers, livestock industry and animal welfare stakeholders to review the consultation paper and provide input through the consultative process.

The consultation paper provided information on:

1. Consultation on acts of veterinary medicine, including:

  • stomach tubing or naso-oesophageal intubation of horses
  • ova or embryo transplantation and laparoscopic insemination
  • acupuncture procedures
  • dentistry
  • act of veterinary medicine: provision of advice based on diagnosis

2. Acts of veterinary medicine that can be undertaken by authorised persons, veterinary students and veterinary nurse students

3. Level of supervision requirements

4. Proposed acts that are not acts of veterinary medicine

5. Record-keeping and prescribing, sale and supply of veterinary chemicals

6. Requirements for veterinary premises and veterinary practice businesses undertaken/performed from veterinary premises, including house call vets

7. Professional standards including advertising

8. Continuing professional development

9. Complaints and investigations: unprofessional conduct and professional misconduct

Before providing feedback, stakeholders were asked to read the consultation paper and frequently asked questions. Stakeholders could use the Ask a question section at the bottom of this page or email VetPracticeRegs@dpird.wa.gov.au for further information.

Submissions were made using online form below.

Consultation closed at AWST 5pm on 2 August 2022.

Consultation is now closed.

Thank you to all who provided feedback to the Veterinary Practice Regulations 2022 - tranche 2 consultation.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is now reviewing the submissions. A report summarising the consultation responses will be provided on this page and communicated to consultation participants.

Background

The Veterinary Practice Act 2021 (VPA) and first tranche of the Veterinary Practice Regulations 2022 came into effect on 18 June 2022. The VPA repealed the existing Veterinary Surgeons Act 1960 (VSA) and Veterinary Surgeons Regulations 1979 (VS Regulations).

Following the VPA’s passage through the Parliament of Western Australia in October 2021, DPIRD and the Veterinary Surgeons’ Board of WA developed the first tranche of the Veterinary Practice Regulations. Tranche 1 supports the VPA’s functions but does not significantly change the day-to-day practice of veterinarians and others providing veterinary services in WA.

Tranche 2 of the Veterinary Practice Regulations, which will implement modern practices and support operational requirements of veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and their clients, is now being developed in consultation with industry and with the involvement of the new Veterinary Practice Board.

In early 2022, DPIRD undertook an initial consultation on proposed acts of veterinary medicine and regulatory options for pregnancy testing and spaying of cattle.

DPIRD is consulting further with representative industry organisations on the submissions for pregnancy testing and spaying of cattle to reach an agreed outcome. A consultation report on pregnancy testing and spaying of cattle will be provided once consultation is complete.

In response to other stakeholder feedback from the initial consultation, DPIRD developed a second consultation paper with additional information on acts of veterinary medicine requiring further industry and community consultation and on other intended key provisions of the Veterinary Practice Regulations.

Consultation process

To assist with the drafting of Tranche 2 of the Veterinary Practice Regulations, DPIRD encouraged veterinarians, veterinary nurses, animal health providers, livestock industry and animal welfare stakeholders to review the consultation paper and provide input through the consultative process.

The consultation paper provided information on:

1. Consultation on acts of veterinary medicine, including:

  • stomach tubing or naso-oesophageal intubation of horses
  • ova or embryo transplantation and laparoscopic insemination
  • acupuncture procedures
  • dentistry
  • act of veterinary medicine: provision of advice based on diagnosis

2. Acts of veterinary medicine that can be undertaken by authorised persons, veterinary students and veterinary nurse students

3. Level of supervision requirements

4. Proposed acts that are not acts of veterinary medicine

5. Record-keeping and prescribing, sale and supply of veterinary chemicals

6. Requirements for veterinary premises and veterinary practice businesses undertaken/performed from veterinary premises, including house call vets

7. Professional standards including advertising

8. Continuing professional development

9. Complaints and investigations: unprofessional conduct and professional misconduct

Before providing feedback, stakeholders were asked to read the consultation paper and frequently asked questions. Stakeholders could use the Ask a question section at the bottom of this page or email VetPracticeRegs@dpird.wa.gov.au for further information.

Submissions were made using online form below.

Consultation closed at AWST 5pm on 2 August 2022.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

Have a question that is not answered by our FAQs? Ask our DPIRD team here.

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    With regards to animal welfare and protecting the public from malpractice, how will the Board police authorised persons, apart from removing their authorisation to practice acts of veterinary medicine? Will members of the public and veterinary surgeons be able to make complaints about malpractice by authorised persons to the Board and will they be investigated? If they are afforded the right to practice acts of veterinary medicine, will authorised persons also be held to the same standards of responsibilities as veterinary surgeons with regards to record keeping, use of medications, premises and standards of practice? Apart from the removal of authorisation what penalties are there for malpractice by authorised persons - will there be a public register of authorised persons and what they are authorised to do and in what circumstances? The consultation paper does not seem to have considered how to protect animals and the public from harm or how members of the public can seek redress if harm is caused by authorised persons.

    Anna M asked over 1 year ago

    Hi Anna, thank you for your question about authorised persons.

    Tranche 1 of the Veterinary Practice Regulations (Part 4 Division 1) includes detail on the administration of persons authorised by the Board to carry out acts of veterinary medicine. This includes detail on the application and the assessment / authorisation process by the Board, cancellation or suspension of authorisation and a requirement for a list of authorised persons to be maintained. The Veterinary Practice Act 2021 (VPA) also has detail on Offences (see Part 5), Complaints and Discipline (Part 7) and Investigations (Part 8). The consultation paper should be read in conjunction with the VPA and Regulations. We have included a question in the online submission form for any comments on Tranche 1 of the Veterinary Practice Regulations 2022 and welcome your feedback on any additional aspects that may need to be included.

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    Can you confirm where reference is made to the performance of acts of veterinary medicine in the context of biomedical research or vivisection where researchers perform surgery and anaesthesia and other veterinary procedures. The VSA made exception for non-veterinarians to perform surgery and anaesthesia for vivisection but I can't find reference to this in the consultation paper.

    Gabby1995 asked over 1 year ago

    Hi Gabby, pages 14-15 of the consultation paper contain a list of proposed ‘not acts of veterinary medicine’, which includes ‘Procedures undertaken on animals used solely for scientific purposes in accordance with a licence or other authorisation under the Animal Welfare Act 2002’. This list is based on the former VS Regulations and is reflected in the current VP Regulations with one additional item - minimally invasive tissue sampling. The consultation team would welcome your submission on any aspect of the proposals.

    Regards
    Veterinary Practice Regulation team

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    Hello. I have read the consultation paper, but see that there is no mention of how the regulations will deal with veterinary nurses (not students), nor any actual detail on the requirements for veterinary practices. Is this information to be released at a later date before the regulations are drafted?

    Mark asked over 1 year ago

    Hi Mark, thank you for your question about veterinary nurses.

    Tranche 1 of the Veterinary Practice Regulations includes detail on acts of veterinary medicine veterinary nurses are authorised to carry out (see regulation 7 and schedule 4). This content reflects the previous Veterinary Surgeons Regulations 1979. The Veterinary Practice Act 2021 (VPA) also has detail on veterinary nurses (see Part 2), and for veterinary premises (see Part 3) as well as content throughout the Act on the conduct of veterinary practice. The consultation paper should be read in conjunction with the VPA and Regulations. We have included a question in the online submission form for any comments on tranche 1 of the Veterinary Practice Regulations 2022 and welcome your feedback on any additional aspects that may need to be included.

    Regards, the Veterinary Practice Regulations team

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    Bets are less qualified to execute embryo and insemination. It is a very skilled field to be successful. A animal owner trained would be as skilled as a very doing it occasionally. Other than raising revenue for vetrinnary surgeons. What reason is there? Likely cost blow out will see the practice completely halt.

    Daniel Neill asked almost 2 years ago

    Hi Daniel

    Thanks for your question. DPIRD would like your feedback on embryo transplantation and artificial insemination. There is a question in the online submission and additional information in the consultation paper which explains the concept of authorised persons. Please complete the online submission, which includes a question on embryo transplantation and artificial insemination by surgical (laparoscopic) method, to ensure your views are considered.

    Kind regards

    Veterinary Practice Regulations Team

Page last updated: 04 Aug 2022, 03:34 PM