PRIVATE VETERINARY ESTABLISHMENTS (LICENSING) REGULATIONS

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 437.106

PRIVATE VETERINARY ESTABLISHMENTS

(LICENSING) REGULATIONS

2nd April, 2014 *

LEGAL NOTICE 242 of 2013, as amended by Legal Notice 375 of 2024.

(1) The title of these regulations is the Private Veterinary

Establishments (Licensing) Regulations.

(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.

Amended by

L.N. 375 of 2024.

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) The Planning Authority (PA) 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.

In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires

"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;

"Department" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in the

Act;

"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;

"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

*see regulation 1(3) of these Regulations, as originally promulgated.

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

p a t i e n t un d e r hi s c a r e o r b e i n g at te nd e d by hi m , du r in g o r

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

c l i n i c a l a n d su rg i c a l s e r v i c e m u s t b e o ff e r e d , a s w e l l a s 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

t h i r d p a r t y r e f e r r e d b y a v e t e r i n a r y s u rg e o n . T h e s p e c i f i c

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

veterinary establishment without a licence. This licence is valid for

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) When submitting an application for a licence for a veterinary

establishment, an applicant shall provide such details as specified in

the Schedule and as requested by the Director and the Veterinary

Surgeons’ Council, including any Planning Authority permits on the

appropriate forms

Provided that notwithstanding any other provision of these

regulations, the Director for Veterinary Services may issue a licence in

favour of the public administration or a government entity as defined

in article 2 of the Public Administration Act according to specific

conditions provided in the licence.

(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

Provided that the establishment shall be in conformity with

any other licence, including permits, authorisations or approvals,

issued by other entities.

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

(e) the arrangements for the management and control of

the services provided at the veterinary establishment

are not adequate.

Decisions in terms of these regulations shall be subject to

a right of appeal before the Administrative Review Tribunal

established in terms of article 5(1) of the Administrative Justice Act by

not later than twenty (20) days from the service of the decision,

wherein the person aggrieved by the said decision shall specify the

reasons on the basis of which the said decision of the Director should

be cancelled or modified

Provided that the decision shall become immediately

applicable and enforceable and shall remain applicable throughout the

term of appeal until final judgement by the Administrative Review

Tribunal, unless such decision is reversed by the said Tribunal and, or

the Court of Appeal or cancelled or modified by the Director

Provided further that any party, who feels aggrieved by a

decision of the Tribunal, may on a point of law, appeal to the Court of

Appeal in accordance with article 22 of the Administrative Justice Act.

For a licence to be issued by the Director of Veterinary

Services on advice of the Veterinary Surgeons’ Council, the

f o l l o w i n g g en er a l r eq u i r e m e n t s m u st b e s a t i s f i e d f o r ea c h

veterinary 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

provided;

(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

force.

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

granted unless the requirements of regulation 7 and the following

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).