If you feel a vet has acted with professional misconduct and you would like to make a complaint, you should contact the Vetinary Council of Ireland. It will then hold an inquiry into whether or not the registered vet (or veterinary nurse) is fit to practice.

In veterinary practice, professional misconduct means any act, omission or pattern of conduct that:

(a) represents a serious falling short of the standard that could reasonably be expected of a veterinary practitioner or nurse;

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(b) is infamous or disgraceful in a professional respect, or;

(c) involves fraud or dishonesty of a nature or degree which bears on the carrying on of the profession of a veterinary practitioner or nurse.

It is important to note that professional misconduct is different from negligence.

Negligence arises when a vet has failed to exercise the normal level of skill and judgement that would be expected of the average registered person and caused damage as a result. Allegations of negligence are typically matters for the civil courts and the Veterinary Council has no powers in this respect.

It may be the case, however, that in some rare circumstances, negligence and professional misconduct overlap. For example, if the negligence has been so gross as to amount to a serious falling short and therefore professional misconduct.

Making a complaint

If you wish to apply for an inquiry, you must complete a written application to the Veterinary Council of Ireland. Click here to download the application form.

Before a decision is made as to whether the matter merits an inquiry, the vet in question is given the opportunity to see the application and respond.

If the Council decides to take action, this will involve your attendance at an oral inquiry, at which you will be required to give evidence before the Fitness to Practise Committee.

Decisions concerning applications are dealt with within approximately eight months from the date of receipt of the application.

If the Council finds that there is no evidence to warrant a full inquiry, you may appeal the decision to the Circuit Court within three months. This may require you to instruct a solicitor to act for you in presenting the case in court.

Compensation/damages

The Veterinary Council does not award compensation or damages if the vet is found guilty of professional misconduct. Depending on the outcome of the inquiry, however, the Council may determine that your costs and expenses in relation to the inquiry are paid by the vet, or that the vet must partially or wholly refund the fees you have paid to them.

Visit the Veterinary Council of Ireland’s website here for more information.

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