RCVS Practice Standards

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the UK.

To help safeguard the health and welfare of animals and the interests of the public, the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) aims to promote and maintain the highest standards of veterinary care. 

There are three levels of accreditation:

• Core standards which ensure that as a minimum a practice complies with legal and health and safety requirements
• General practice which looks at training, equipment, emergency cover, diagnostic testing, overnight monitoring of any patients, cost estimating and client communications
• Hospital which deals with practices who offer 24 hour care to hospitalised animals

The Cockburn Veterinary Group is accredited to level 2 standards and as a general practice, which means that we undergo a rigorous inspection every four years.  Between inspections, we must certify annually that we continue to meet these standards and are subject to spot-checks to keep us on our toes.

Choosing an RCVS PSS accredited practice will offer you peace of mind about the way we will care for your pet.  If you’d like to know more, please visit the RCVS website.