The Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI), the statutory body responsible for the regulation and management of the practise of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing in the state, has published its Annual Report for 2020, which highlights the main developments for the organisation throughout the year.

As of 31 December 2020, there were 3044 registered veterinary practitioners, 1097 veterinary nurses, and 772 veterinary premises accredited on its Register.

An analysis of registrants conducted in October 2020 found that 56% of vets were male, and 44% were female, while 78.5% were of Irish nationality, with the remaining 21.5% of a different nationality.

In 2020, the Veterinary Council issued eight guidance notes relating to Covid-19 offering leadership and guidance to registrants in the unprecedented circumstances of a global health pandemic, who were deemed essential workers.

The Council also undertook a review of its Continuing Veterinary Education (CVE) Scheme. The Veterinary Council updated the scheme to bring the CVE year in line with its registration period and enable registrants to manage and record their own continuing professional development, with compliance declared annually to ensure maintained competence to renew registration.

Additional achievements and milestones for the Veterinary Council in 2020 include:

• The launch of the SAFEVET SMART Handbook to promote and support resilience, good mental health and wellbeing among veterinary professionals
• The Council produced and published a Veterinary Nursing Guidance booklet to provide clarity and guidance on the roles and responsibilities of a veterinary nurse, as well as practical guidance and support for members of the veterinary nursing profession
• The Council signed a memorandum of understanding, pledging a donation of €30,000 annually to the Irish Veterinary Benevolent Fund (IVBF) to enable them to continue to provide a vital range of supports to members of the veterinary professions
• The Council established a Registrants’ Representative Forum to engage and consult with Registrant representatives.

The Veterinary Council also received 38 complaints in 2020, 25 of which were concluded by the Council’s Preliminary Investigation Committee. The remaining 13 complaints are awaiting further consideration in 2021. Three fitness to practise inquiries were held during the year, which related to complaints received prior to 2020.

Niamh Muldoon, CEO of the Veterinary Council of Ireland, said,

“2020 was a challenging year for everyone in Irish society, and vets and vet nurses were no exception as essential workers. The Veterinary Council acknowledges the role the veterinary professions play in providing essential services for animal health and welfare in extremely difficult circumstances over recent months. The Veterinary Council is committed to ensuring a valuable contribution to public health and animal health and welfare in the public interest, and 2020 was a very busy and productive year for the Council in this regard.

I look forward to continuing to build on the achievements of the Veterinary Council in 2021, in further delivering on the Council’s strategic objectives in the interests of animal health and welfare and public health”.