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Letters

Letters VETERINARY PROFESSION

Dr yes or Dr no? HAS the RCVS thrown in the towel? After years of trying to teach us that its role is to protect the public from doctoring by vets, and animals from doctoring by people who are not vets, it wants us to consider being doctors. Less than a year ago the RCVS caused a furore by suggesting that postnominals are confusing, yet now it expects the public to use postnominals to distinguish doctors who are vets from vets who are doctors. As more members travel the global village, there will be more occasions when the reason we are not doctors has to be explained. On the odd occasion I have done so, I have found it a gentle ice-breaker. I have not felt the need to look over my shoulder for the Disciplinary Committee when politeness suggested letting it pass.

I understand that may not be so easy for members who take formal positions or work abroad for extended periods. There must be an issue, however, for those who come from abroad to study at UK universities which are accredited by other veterinary authorities. Many of them will expect to return to their homelands, where they will want to work alongside peers who really are doctors, by virtue of their systems of veterinary education and qualification. Should members of the RCVS Council who are appointed by vet colleges that obtain income from undergraduates from abroad declare an interest when they ask us to consider making a change in our relationship with the UK public? Neil M. Howie, The Laurels, Chapel Lane, Ravensmoor, Nantwich CW5 8PT e-mail: [email protected] doi: 10.1136/vr.h342

doi: 10.1136/vr.h343 106 | Veterinary Record | January 24, 2015

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Dr yes or Dr no? Neil M. Howie Veterinary Record 2015 176: 106

doi: 10.1136/vr.h342 Updated information and services can be found at: http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/176/4/106.1

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Dr yes or Dr no?

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