Private Veterinary Establishments (Licensing) Regulations, 2013

L.N. 242 of 2013

VETERINARY SERVICES ACT

(CAP. 437)

Private Veterinary Establishments (Licensing) Regulations, 2013

IN exercise of the powers conferred by article 42(1)(d) and (e)

and (2) of the Veterinary Services Act, the Veterinary Surgeons’

Council, with the concurrence of the Minister for Sustainable

Development, the Environment and Climate Change, has made the

following regulations:-

(1)

The title of these regulations is the Private Title, scope and

commencement.

Veterinary Establishments (Licensing) Regulations, 2013.

(2) These regulations shall apply to all veterinary

establishments which fall under the scope of these regulations

including those veterinary establishments which were built or set up

prior to the entry into force of these regulations.

(3) These regulations shall come into force on the 2nd April,

2014.

Regulation 4 (3)

Particulars required in an application for a licence for a veterinary establishment

(a) The full name and address, and veterinary professional qualifications of

the applicant.

(b) Where the application is made on behalf of a company, society,

association, or body, the address of its registered office or principal place of

business and the full names and addresses and professional or technical

qualifications of partners.

(c) The full name and address of the owner of premises and equipment, if

he is not the applicant.

(d) The location of the veterinary establishment and its form of construction

(architect’s layout plan indicating the proposed use of each room to be attached).

(e) Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) permit (outline

permit is acceptable).

(f) The type of veterinary establishment to be set up (veterinary

consultancy practice, veterinary clinic or veterinary hospital).

(g) The equipment and facilities provided or to be provided in the

establishment.

(h) Type of specialised veterinary services that are proposed to be carried

out, if applicable.

(i) The name, qualifications, and experience of people to be employed in a

technical, professional, administrative or any other manner in the establishment.

(j)

Arrangements for waste disposal.

(k) Arrangements for the provision of blood supplies, if applicable.

(l)

Arrangements for a twenty-four hour service.

€1.80

In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires

Interpretation.

"the Act" means the Veterinary Services Act;

"animal" means companion animals or commercial animals or

exotic animals;

"applicant" means a professional person who applies for a

licence to run a veterinary establishment under the terms of regulation

4;

"area" means a non-enclosed space forming part of a room;

"the Director" means the Director responsible for the veterinary

services and includes any officer of the department duly authorised by

the Director to act on his behalf;

"the Division" means the Veterinary Regulation, Fisheries

Conservation and Control Division, being the Veterinary Services

established under article 2 of the Act;

"hazardous waste materials" means blades, injection needles,

and other sharp objects, and expired medicinal products;

"licensee" means a professional person who is licensed in terms

of article 42 of the Act to run a veterinary establishment. In the case

of a veterinary laboratory, the licensee may be a professional person

other than a veterinary surgeon. The specific professional

qualifications for the licences of veterinary laboratories shall be laid

down by the Veterinary Surgeons’ Council, in accordance with the

procedures in article 42 of the same Act;

"POM" means prescription only medicine;

"the practice of veterinary medicine" means veterinary

investigation (including consultancy), diagnosis or treatment

(including prophylactic measures to control or prevent disease),

performed on animals by veterinary surgeons in the course of their

professional duties, which ensure the health and welfare of animals

committed to their care. The professional duties of a veterinary

surgeon include private or academic clinical practice, duties in animal

welfare organisations, government service and commerce;

"premises" means a physical structure consisting of one or more

rooms;

"professional and ethical standards" include the standard of the

general conduct of the members of the veterinary profession, as well

as the behaviour of any such member towards his client or the patient

under his care or being attended by him, during or consequential to

his profession;

"room" means a space enclosed by fixed walls or fixed

partitions, wherein there is correct light and air proportions, as well as

possessing a closable door;

"veterinary clinic" means a single building or premises with

access to animals, wherein a basic clinical and surgical service or a

specialised service is offered. Basic diagnostic procedures on animal

samples may be allowed. In this type of veterinary practice, the clinic

may have an autonomous organisation and identity, in which one or

more veterinary surgeons exercise their profession and the practice, is

carried out in the name of all the veterinarians considered as one unit.

Otherwise, each veterinary surgeon may retain fiscal and professional

individuality but share the premises, equipment or staff. The clinic

will not provide for overnight stays of animals;

"veterinary consultancy practice" means the premises, with

access to animals, and wherein only clinical examination and

treatments are carried out. If minor surgery is carried out, this shall

not include the opening of body cavities. In this type of veterinary

practice, a veterinary surgeon exercises his profession in an

individual and personal form. More than one veterinary surgeon may

form part of this consultancy practice by sharing the premises,

equipment and, or staff, but retaining their fiscal and professional

individuality;

"veterinary establishment" means the premises where a

veterinary surgeon carries out his profession and may be called a

veterinary consultancy practice, a veterinary clinic or a veterinary

hospital. The criteria and detailed description of the requirements,

including equipment, rooms and staff training for veterinary

laboratories, shall be laid down by the Veterinary Surgeons’ Council,

in accordance with the procedures of article 42 of the Act;

"veterinary hospital" means a veterinary establishment having

an autonomous and more complex organisation and identity, in which

several veterinary surgeons, generic or specialised, exercise their

profession, and wherein animals are kept for more than one day, and a

twenty-four hour emergency service is obligatory. A basic clinical

and surgical service must be offered, as well as a specialised service;

"veterinary laboratory" means a veterinary establishment where

instrumental diagnosis of a chemical, physical, immunological,

virological, microbiological, cytological and histological nature are

carried out on biological animal matter from a variety of animal

species (commercial, companion animals or exotic), on request of a

third party referred by a veterinary surgeon. The specific professional

qualifications for the licensees of veterinary laboratories as well as

the criteria and detailed description of the requirements, including

equipment, rooms, staff training shall be laid down by the Veterinary

Surgeons’ Council and in accordance with the procedures under

article 42 of the Act;

"veterinary surgeon" means a person licensed by the President

of Malta to practice as a veterinary surgeon in Malta and who is

registered in the Veterinary Surgeons’ Register.

(1)

No person may operate, manage, set up or operate a Granting or

veterinary establishment without a licence. This licence is valid for renewal

licence.

one year.

(2) A licence for the opening or carrying on of a veterinary

establishment under article 42 (e) of the Act may only be granted or

renewed provided such establishment complies with the provisions of

these regulations and of any other law which establishes the payment

of fees for the respective practice.

(3) Prior to the granting or renewal of a licence an inspection

may be carried out by the Director

Provided that the Director may also conduct other

inspections at any other time

Provided further that if the Director deems it fit, a member

of the Veterinary Surgeons’ Council may be asked to accompany the

Director on such inspections.

(1)

An application for a licence for a veterinary

establishment shall be made to the Director of Veterinary Services in

writing and consultation on the matter shall be sought with the

Veterinary Surgeons’ Council

Provided that where an application for a licence is already

pending before the coming into force of these regulations, such

application shall be deemed to have been made under these

regulations.

(2) In making an application for a licence for a veterinary

establishment, an applicant shall furnish such particulars as are

specified in the Schedule and such other information as the Veterinary

Surgeons’ Council may require

Provided that where a veterinary establishment is already

functional prior to the coming into force of these regulations, the

applicant shall submit the document referred to in paragraph (e) of the

Schedule for buildings constructed after 1992. For other buildings not

falling within this category the applicant shall provide evidence of

continuous operation as a veterinary establishment starting before

1992. (3) Any application for a licence, including the renewal of a

licence, for a veterinary establishment shall be accompanied by a fee

payable to the Government, as the Minister may from time to time by

notice establish in the Gazette.

The Director, on the advice of the Veterinary Surgeons’

Council, may refuse to issue or renew, or withdraw a licence in

respect of a veterinary establishment if he is satisfied that

(a)

the licensee, or any person employed or proposed

to be employed by the applicant to assume responsibility for the

veterinary establishment, is not of good conduct; or

(b)

for reasons connected with the physical location,

construction, state of repair, accommodation, staffing or

equipment, the veterinary establishment is not fit to be used as a

consultancy practice, clinic, hospital or laboratory; or

(c)

the veterinary establishment is, or any premises

used in connection therewith are, used or proposed to be used

for purposes which are not related to the particular function of

that veterinary establishment or which are in any way improper,

unethical or unlawful; or

(d)

the veterinary establishment, or any premises to be

used in connection therewith, consist of, or include works

executed in contravention of the Development Planning Act; or Cap. 356.

(e)

the arrangements for the management and control

of the services provided at the veterinary establishment are not

adequate.

Where a licence has been refused, or is not renewed or has Appeal from

been withdrawn, the applicant or licensee, as the case may be, may refusal

etc., a licence.

within thirty days of receipt of notice of refusal, non-renewal or

withdrawal of a licence, appeal to a Licences Appeal Tribunal to be

appointed by the Minister responsible for veterinary services and

made up of a person who has, for at least seven years, been in

possession of a warrant to practise the legal profession in Malta, who

shall be appointed as Chairman, and of two other members, one from

among the private veterinary profession and the other who shall be a

representative of the Division.

For a licence to be issued by the Director of Veterinary General

Services on advice of the Veterinary Surgeons’ Council, the following requirements

a licence to be

general requirements must be satisfied for each veterinary issued.

establishment

(a)

the establishments shall aim to provide a high

standard of veterinary care;

(b)

the premises shall be kept clean and free from

offensive odours. The area immediately surrounding, or in front

of the establishment, is to be kept clean. The frequency of the

cleaning process will depend on the workload of each individual

case, and, if necessary, shall be carried out even on a once daily

basis;

(c)

the staff shall maintain high standards of personal

cleanliness;

(d)

the buildings shall be constructed of brick,

stonework, or other substantial material, while the internal walls

and floors shall be constructed of smooth, impervious materials

so as to permit thorough cleaning and disinfection;

(e)

all parts of the building shall be adequately

ventilated and illuminated;

(f)

lavatory facilities shall be provided;

(g)

adequate storage facilities shall be provided;

(h)

facilities for washing and disinfection shall be

(i)

the display of commercially retailed merchandise

within the veterinary establishment shall be permissible,

provided that the display is of an acceptable nature;

(j)

there shall be no boarding establishments for cats

and dogs on the veterinary premises;

(k)

the maintenance of a grooming business within the

veterinary premises shall not be permissible;

(l)

there shall be a container for the disposal of

hazardous waste material and documented arrangements for a

proper disposal system for collected waste;

(m)

the premises shall have a telephone line;

(n)

there shall be strict compliance with any

occupational health and safety laws and regulations currently in

No licence for the running of a veterinary consultancy

practice shall be granted unless the requirements in regulation 7 are

satisfied together with the following minimum requirements

(1)

Minimal structural requirements

(a) if the consultancy practice forms part of

another establishment, commercial or otherwise, the area

within the premises licensed as a consultancy shall not be

used for any other purpose except that of veterinary

practice;

(b)

applications for consultancy practices cannot

be granted in commercial establishments considered as pet

shops as defined in the Pet Shop Regulations, 2012;

(c) examination room which ensures clients’

privacy and is equipped with hand basin and disinfection

facilities. The size of such room should at least be

sufficient for a veterinary surgeon, patient and client, as

well as allow for traffic to and from the rooms. The room

shall also be equipped with an examination table capable

of being easily disinfected. Every examination room must

have up-to-date diagnostic equipment for a clinical

examination of the patient;

(d) if veterinary medicinal products are stocked

in the consultancy practice, these shall be kept in a

pharmacy room or a lockable cupboard, containing an

adequate and, readily available supply, of medicinal

products and materials used in the treatment of animals.

An efficient stock control system is to be set up which

includes a register and a secure, lockable receptacle for the

storage of controlled drugs. Medicines shall be properly

and safely stored in accordance with the manufacturers’

instructions. Dispensed medicines should be labelled with

the following

(i)

the name of the product;

(ii) directions for use;

(iii) significant precautions relating to the

use of the product;

(iv) the name of the animal and of its owner;

(v) the veterinary surgeon dispensing the

drug;

(2)

Minimum technological requirements

(a) if veterinary medicinal products that require

refrigeration are stocked at the consultancy practice, a

refrigerator has to be provided;

(b)

weighing scales; and

(3)

Minimum administrative requirements

(a)

notification of the opening hours or methods

of access to the service;

(b) name and title of any veterinary surgeon

running the consultancy practice;

(c) patient records shall be kept in a secure place,

accessibility to these records shall be restricted to the

veterinary staff;

(d) notification of contact details of a twenty-four

hour emergency service.

No licence for the running of a veterinary clinic shall be

granted unless the requirements of regulation 7 and the following

minimum requirements are satisfied

(1)

Minimum structural requirements

(a) waiting room is large enough

to

accommodate clients according to workload;

(b) one or more examination rooms ensuring the

clients’ privacy, and equipped with hand basin and

disinfection facilities. The size of these rooms should be

sufficient for veterinary surgeon, nursing staff, patient and

client, as well as to allow for traffic to and from the rooms.

They should also be equipped with an examination table

capable of being easily disinfected. Every examination

room shall have up-to-date diagnostic equipment for the

clinical examination of the patient. At least one

examination room can be capable of being darkened;

(c) an operating theatre wherein surgical

procedures are carried out. This shall be a separate room

from the examination room and waiting room. Such

operating theatres shall not be used for the pre-operative

preparation of patients, or for any purpose which could

compromise their use for aseptic surgery. There should be

a high standard of surgical asepsis. Floor to wall junctions

should be adequately coved. Lighting suitable for the

accurate illumination of surgical sites on the patient are to

be provided in the theatre;

(d) a preparation room: the examination room

may be used as a preparation room as long as the surgical

activity is not carried out contemporarily with the clinical

activity;

(e) recovery room or area where animals may

recover from anaesthesia and be easily kept under

observation while doing so. This room or area is to be

clean, and shall not be used for any purpose that might

adversely affect post-operative recovery. If the

examination room is to be used as a recovery room, this

shall not be done contemporarily with clinical activity,

namely, there should be time separation and cleaning and

disinfection of the room in between. It is not recommended

to use the preparation room as recovery room because of

the difficulty in achieving time separation;

(f) a pharmacy room or a lockable cupboard

containing an adequate supply, readily available, of

medicinal products and materials used in the treatment of

animals. An efficient stock control system under the direct

responsibility of any of the licensees shall be set up, which

includes a register and a secure, locked receptacle for the

storage of controlled drugs. Medicines shall be properly

and safely stored in accordance with the manufacturers

instructions;

(2)

Minimum technological requirements

(a)

refrigerator;

(b)

microscope;

(c)

weighing scales;

(d) equipment for chemical

or

physical

sterilisation or surgical material;

(e)

operating table to be used exclusively for

surgery;

(f) a good supply of surgical instruments, suture

materials, surgeons’ gloves and gowns shall be provided;

(g) packs, including those for emergency surgery,

must be provided in sufficient quantity to meet the work

load;

(h) in the case where X-ray equipment is present,

the room where it is found should be properly designed to

reduce to minimum potentially hazardous radiation. The

X-ray room, equipment and the handling of radiograph

material should abide by the guidelines issued by the

Radiation Protection Board;

(i) scrubbing-up facilities shall be provided

outside the operating theatre, and separate from those

provided for cleansing and disinfection but may be in the

preparation room;

(j) adequate facilities for the induction of general

anaesthesia, the anaesthetic agent to be used being at the

discretion of the veterinary surgeon. There shall also be

adequate means of monitoring anaesthetised patients and

of supportive therapy (intravenous fluids, maintenance of

body heat, etc.) under anaesthesia;

(k)

generator or alternative energy supply;

(l)

oxygen therapy equipment;

(3)

Minimum administrative requirements

(a) communication of the name of any veterinary

surgeon working in the clinic to the general public;

(b)

notification of opening hours;

(c) presence of at least one veterinary surgeon

during the time the clinic is active;

(d) the clinic shall provide, or be part of, a

twenty-four hour emergency service;

(e) patient records shall be kept in a secure place,

while accessibility to these records shall be restricted to the

veterinary staff;

(f) dispensed medicines shall be labelled with

the following

(i)

the name of the product;

(ii) directions for use;

(iii) significant precautions relating to the

use of the product;

(iv) the name of the animal;

(v) name of dispensing veterinary surgeon

in terms of regulation 8(1)(d)(v).

No licence for the running of a veterinary hospital shall be Veterinary

granted unless the requirements of regulation 7 and the following hospital.

minimum requirements are satisfied

(1)

Minimum structural requirements

(a) waiting room large enough to accommodate

clients according to workload; if possible, a separate

waiting area should be provided for dogs and cats;

(b) office and reception facilities must be

provided which are easily accessible to clients and staff as

appropriate;

(c) at least two examination rooms which ensure

the clients’ privacy, and equipped with hand basin and

disinfection facilities. The size of these rooms should be

sufficient for veterinary surgeon, nursing staff, patient and

client, as well as allow for traffic to and from the rooms.

They should also be equipped with an examination table

capable of being easily disinfected. At least one

examination room should be capable of being darkened. At

least one room should be equipped with X-ray viewer;

(d) a pharmacy room containing a readily

available adequate supply of medicinal products and

materials used in the treatment of animals. An efficient

stock control system shall be set up which includes a

register and a secure, locked receptacle for the storage of

controlled drugs. Medicines must be properly and safely

stored in accordance with the manufacturers instructions;

(e) at least one operating theatre of adequate size

shall be provided and used only for the conduct of surgical

operations. Such operating theatres shall not be used for

the pre-operative preparation of patients, or for any

purpose which could compromise their use for aseptic

surgery. There must be a high standard of surgical asepsis.

Lighting suitable for the accurate illumination of surgical

sites on the patient must be provided in the theatre. Floor

or wall junctions in preparation and operating areas shall

be adequately coved to ensure efficient cleaning. Floor and

wall surfaces should be impervious and easy to clean.

There should be positive air pressure in the operating

theatre to reduce contamination and the incoming air

should be filtered;

(f) a preparation room shall be provided,

separate from the operating theatre, for the pre-operative

preparation of surgical patients;

(g) scrubbing-up facilities shall be provided, with

suitable elbow, foot, or electric-eye operated taps. The

scrubbing-up facilities shall be separate from those

provided for cleansing and disinfection, and outside the

operating theatre;

(h) a recovery room where patients can be easily

observed when recovering from anaesthesia;

(i) emergency treatment room, with separate

entrance if possible;

(j) X-ray room: radiographs should be taken in a

room used only for that purpose and properly designed to

reduce to a minimum potentially hazardous radiation. The

X-ray room, equipment and the handling of radiograph

material should abide by the guidelines issued by the

Radiation Protection Board;

(k) laboratory and post-mortem facilities shall be

available as separate premises on site in a part of the

hospital where they do not constitute a hazard to patients,

clients or staff, or jeopardise the accuracy of laboratory

analysis in any way. These premises should be easy to

clean and disinfect. Protective clothing and disposable

gloves shall be provided for staff performing laboratory

tests. A recording system shall be kept for tests carried out

in the hospital or by any outside laboratory. Suitable

facilities for post mortem examination, including proper

storage and, or disposal of carcasses. In both areas,

adequate facilities for washing and disinfection of hands

must be available;

(l) animal holdings shall contain a minimum of

six cages or kennels and, or pens for the hospitalisation of

animals. For equine hospitals there has to be a minimum of

six stables and a readily accessible yard or paddock with

safe and well-maintained boundary. The number and size

of the animal holdings shall be adequate for the workload

of the hospital. The animal holdings and their fittings shall

be made of a non-permeable material so as to be easily

cleaned and disinfected. There shall be suitable bedding

materials for in-patients and adequate storage space for

this material;

(m) washing and, or sterilisation facilities must be

provided for staff, feeding utensils and bedding material.

Suitable facilities for the storage and preparation of food as

well as the availability of a variety of diets to meet the

needs of in-patients. Feeding equipment must be capable

of being sterilised or be disposable;

(n) facilities for the bathing, grooming and

drying of in-patients; as well as adequate sanitary facilities

for in-patients;

(o) isolation room for animals with transmissible

disease with separate washing facilities, waste disposal,

sewage, negative air pressure, and barrier nursing;

(p) facilities (room or area) for the intensive care

of the critically ill patients including intravenous fluid

therapy, blood transfusion and oxygen therapy;

(q) the rooms mentioned paragraphs (l) to (p)

should have coving continuous with the floor covering and

reach several centimetres up the wall;

(r) residential accommodation for use by the

staff on the twenty-four hour duty. There should be

reasonable and secure night-time access from the

residential accommodation to the hospital facilities

without leaving the premises;

(s)

office, library;

(t) sufficient telephone capacity

shall

be

provided to meet the workload of the hospital;

(2)

Minimum technological requirements

(a) emergency lighting shall be provided (backup

generator, portable lighting units, or similar devices) to

allow the hospital to continue to function, especially in the

case of operative surgery, in the event of power cut or

electrical failure;

(b)

refrigerators;

(c)

freezers for samples, carcasses of small

animals;

(d) binocular microscope with mechanical stage,

electric light source and oil immersion facility;

(e) if the veterinary hospital repacks medicine

from bulk, or when medicines are prepared by the hospital,

proper containers must be used for the dispensing, and all

dispensed medicines are to be indelibly labelled with the

following information

(i) name and address of veterinary surgeon

dispensing the medicine;

(ii) name and address of the hospital;

(iii) name and address of owner or keeper of

animal;

(iv) the words "For animal treatment only"

or "Keep out of children’s reach";

(v) the date of dispensing of medicine;

(vi) the words "For external use only" where

appropriate;

(f) in addition, medicines dispensed from

veterinary hospitals should be labelled with the following

(i)

the name and amount of the product;

(ii) directions for use;

(iii) precautions relating to the use of the

product;

(iv) the name of the animal and its owner;

(v) the name of the veterinary hospital;

(g) all labels should be mechanically or machine

produced. Hand written labels are not acceptable. Tablets

and capsules must be dispensed in crush-proof and

moisture-proof containers but paper board cartons may be

used for sachets and for manufacturers’ strip or blister

packed medicines. Child-resistant containers should be

used unless otherwise requested. Paper or plastic

envelopes are not acceptable for the dispensing of

medicinal products;

(h) clear written instructions should be given to

staff regarding the handling of medicines. There should be

no ingestion of food where medicines are handled and

hands should be washed immediately after handling drugs.

The handling of hazardous drugs should be subject to

special precautions and written emergency procedures

should be available;

(i) proper provision is to be made for the safe

disposal of expired or unwanted medicines according to

current legislation;

(j) a good supply of surgical instruments, suture

materials, sterile surgeons’ gloves and sterile gowns shall

be provided. An X-ray viewer shall also be provided in the

theatre;

(k) there shall be adequate facilities for

sterilisation such as autoclaves and a recognised method of

sterilisation of surgical material is to be employed. Sterile

packs shall be provided in sufficient quantity to meet the

hospital’s workload. Sterility indicators are to be used to

monitor the efficiency of the technique. Sterile packs shall

have an expiry date marked on them and sterile packs for

emergency surgery shall be available at all times;

(l) an operating table of adjustable height which

is capable of holding the patient in a tilted position shall be

provided in the operating theatre. Proper means of restraint

of the patient shall be available. A stretcher or trolley are

to be provided for the safe transportation of heavy animals;

(m) a clock in the operating theatre;

(n) adequate facilities for the induction and

maintenance of general anaesthesia in a range of animal

species, the anaesthetic agent to be used being at the

discretion of the veterinary surgeon. There shall also be an

adequate means of monitoring anaesthetised patients and

of supportive therapy (intravenous fluids, maintenance of

body heat, etc,) under anaesthesia. A resuscitative pack

shall always be kept readily available for instant use;

(o) facilities for intermittent positive pressure

ventilation, either manual or mechanical, are to be

provided and anaesthetic machines shall be serviced

annually. Anaesthetic scavenging systems shall be used;

(p) oxygen therapy equipment with primary and

reserve supplies;

(q) adequate surgical instruments for general and

specialist surgery (dental, ophthalmic, and orthopaedic

surgery as well as cryosurgery, electro-cautery and

suction);

(r) radiographic facilities suitable and adequate

for the needs of the hospital and readily available at all

times. These facilities must be capable of producing

radiographs of diagnostic quality. Evidence of radiological

protection and safety precautions, including proper storage

for radiation protection equipment, shall be provided and

suitable arrangements are to be made for the processing,

recording, viewing, filing and storage of X-ray films as

well as records of the purchase, maintenance and repair of

all equipment. The X-ray equipment and the handling of

radiograph material should abide by the guidelines issued

by the Radiation Protection Board;

(s) equipment for the permanent identification of

X-ray films is required and a suitable exposure chart for

the x-ray equipment. A light-beam diaphragm for the x-ray

machine and a stationary or moving focused grid must be

available. There should also be sufficient provision for

non-human physical restraint of patients during

radiography. The hospital is also required to update its

radiographic facilities as techniques and equipment

change;

(t)

equipment for endoscopic diagnosis;

(u)

equipment for echographic diagnosis;

(v) equipment for ECG monitoring and

diagnosis. ECG recordings must be suitably filed and

stored;

(w) equipment for haematological diagnosis (to

include microhaematocrit);

(x) equipment for basic blood biochemistry (to

include urinary refractometer);

(y)

centrifuge;

(3)

Minimum administrative requirements

(a) communication to the general public of the

name of the veterinary surgeons working in the hospital;

(b) notification

of

service

hours

and

communication of the emergency service contact numbers

to the public;

(c)

presence of at least one veterinary surgeon at

all times;

(d) there is to be a sufficient number of

adequately trained lay staff for the needs of the hospital, at

least one member of which must be a veterinary auxiliary;

(e) a person directly responsible for the nursing

care of in-patients shall be on the premises at all times;

(f)

a reference library of veterinary texts is to be

provided;

(g) it must be possible for the veterinary surgeons

on duty to contact the staff on the premises at all times;

(h) veterinary hospitals are expected to meet the

standards necessary for the training of veterinary auxiliary

staff;

(i) the hospital should encourage both veterinary

surgeons and veterinary auxiliary staff to obtain further

profession qualifications;

(j) there shall be an efficient system of recording

treatments, clinical signs, and special instructions. Medical

records are to be filed and located and so maintained that

any veterinary surgeon on coming into the hospital may, by

reading the record, be able to proceed with the continuity

of care of the patient. Complete medical records should

contain the following information where applicable

(i)

owner identification and address;

(ii) patient identification (name, species,

breed, colour, age, sex, microchip number);

(iii) clinical information;

(iv) diagnostic investigations;

(v) diagnosis, provisional or definitive;

(vi) vaccinations-batch numbers and dates;

(vii) therapy, surgical and medical, including

dosages and duration;

(viii) special considerations like an adverse

reaction to drugs;

(ix) external communications,

such

as

referrals, lab reports;

(x) consent forms and estimates;

(k) proper security arrangements should be made

to protect medical records from loss, unauthorised

alteration or unauthorised use. Copies of computerised

records should always be kept and backed up daily and

backup media should be kept at different premises;

(l) adequate means by which members of the

public can communicate with the hospital (telephones,

mobiles, emails, fax, websites and similar devices).