Reflection on Legislation Knowledge

A reflection on knowledge of legislation relevant in veterinary physiotherapy practice.

“The Veterinary Surgeons (Exemptions) Order 2015 allows the treatment of an animal by physiotherapy if the person providing the treatment is aged 18 or over and the person is acting under the direction of a qualified person who has examined the animal, and prescribed the treatment of the animal by physiotherapy” (The Veterinary Surgeons Act, 1966).

In a lecture on animals and the law at university, we were given several scenarios in which we had to determine what we would do and explain the legislations involved. Before starting my MSc in Veterinary Physiotherapy, I had little awareness of this order, and learnt more about it during the lecture. All members of the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP) must adhere to sections 19 and 20 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966) and exemptions order (2015) (NAVP, 2017), so it is a vital legislation to understand.

During our lecture, I was surprised to learn veterinary physiotherapists are not allowed to diagnose musculoskeletal injuries and were only allowed to see the animal with the veterinary surgeon’s permission. As a human physiotherapist, I can diagnose certain problems with a series of special tests, and do not need consultant’s permission to assess and treat, so I thought it would be no different. I felt silly for not knowing this as other members of the class were aware of it as a key law revolved around our practice.

The experience was good as I realised I needed to research more into the relevant legislations, to ensure when I qualify my practice is legal. I do not feel there was a bad aspect of the experience.

Legislations such as this will protect both yourself and the animal. In some instances, it may be that physiotherapy would not be appropriate for the patient and intervention could be a contraindication or exacerbate the problem, thus inflicting more pain on the patient. If a problem occurred after one’s treatment session and the vet had given permission to say the horse was fit for physiotherapy, it could be that an underlying issue was not detected or it may not be directly connected. Having the vet’s permission would shelter any question that one should not be treating that animal.

To better prepare me for the case studies given in our lecture, I could have revised the relevant legislations beforehand so as working through the scenarios would consolidate my knowledge and enhance my learning.

If we had a repeat of the lecture, I now feel I would have a good understanding of the Veterinary Surgeons (Exemptions) Order 2015, and I would be able to determine whether it would be appropriate to see an animal (i.e. has the animal been referred or permission sought), and make sure when talking through my answer I would not verbalise any suggestion of diagnosis.

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References

National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (2017). Frequently Asked Question. Available from: https://www.navp.co.uk/faqs.html [Accessed 2 December 2017].

The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1996, c.19. Available from: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting- standards/advice-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons/supporting- guidance/treatment-of-animals-by-unqualified-persons/ [Accessed 2 December 2017].