Pets are often treated as members of the family and owners rightly want to be sure they receive excellent medical treatment. But how can you be sure?

The regulatory function of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has always meant that users of veterinary services could be assured that their veterinary surgeon was properly qualified and fit to practise.

On 1 January 2005 the RCVS launched the Practice Standards Scheme to offer pet owners reassurance that those practice premises which it accredits also meet stringent standards by establishing a quality assurance framework to promote and maintain the highest levels of veterinary care.

The scheme is a voluntary initiative to accredit veterinary practices in the UK. Through setting standards and carrying out regular inspections, the Scheme aims to promote and maintain the highest standards of veterinary care. Fitzalan House Veterinary Group has been an enthusiastic member of the scheme since it's inception.

It offers peace of mind to clients of accredited practices and more informed choice to the animal-owning public.

To become accredited, practices volunteer for rigorous inspection every four years and will have met a range of minimum standards including hygiene, 24-hour emergency cover, staff training, certain types of equipment and cost estimation procedures. They may also be subject to spot-checks between inspections.

For peace of mind, people should look for the RCVS accredited practice logo, which indicates that the practice has passed an independent inspection. This means high standards of care for pets and peace of mind for pet owners.

To check if a practice is accredited, or find one that is use our Find a Vet service.