Principles of certification

Question 1

Offences of what nature could lead to a veterinary surgeon being removed from the register?

Answer 1

1. Causing serious harm to animals or the public
2. Offences of a sexual nature
3. Offences involving violence and/or loss of human life
4. Evidence of a harmful deep-seated personality or attitude problem
5. Dishonesty including false certification

Question 2

What is a certificate?

Answer 2

A written statement of fact made with authority

Question 3

What are the four main hazards for veterinary surgeons when ’certifying‘ in the wider sense?

Answer 3

• Negligence
• Criminal offences
• Professional misconduct
• Loss of OV status

Question 4

Principle 1: A veterinarian should certify only those matters which?

Answer 4

• are within his or her own knowledge
• can be ascertained by him or her personally
• are the subject of supporting evidence from an authorised veterinarian who has personal knowledge of the matters in question

Question 5

What is meant by principle 2: Veterinarians should not issue a certificate that might raise questions of a possible conflict of interest

Answer 5

Veterinarians signing certificates should not allow commercial, financial or other pressures to compromise their impartiality.
Defra advised that treatment/certification to meet PETS requirements should be carried out by a qualified veterinarian who is not the owner of the pet.

Question 6

Which veterinary principle related to language?

Answer 6

Principle 3: A veterinarian should only sign certificates that are written in a language they understand.

Question 7

Explain the principle regarding original documents and copies

Answer 7

• A veterinarian should only sign original certificates. Where there is a legal or official requirement for a certified copy or duplicate (marked as such) these can be provided.
• Where a copy or replacement is provided or retained it must be clearly marked COPY or DUPLICATE or REPLACEMENT
• Where veterinarians become aware that the certificate should not have been issued or is no longer true, they must withdraw or cancel the certificate

Question 8

Principle 6 - When signing a certificate, a veterinarian should ensure that?

Answer 8

• The certificate contains no deletions or alterations other than those indicated on the certificate
• No section of the certificate is incomplete
• The certificate includes not only their signature but also, in clear lettering, their name, qualifications and address
• the date on which the certificate was signed and issued

Question 9

How should certificates be worded?

Answer 9

• In simple terms that are easy to understand
• Clear and concise
• Should not use words or phrases that are capable of more than one interpretation

Question 10

What are the FEI horse vaccination requirements?

Answer 10

• Horses must have been vaccinated within 6 months +21 days of arriving at the Event however they cannot compete if they have been vaccinated within 7 days of arriving at an event venue
• Minimum booster frequency is one year