Specialist status in the veterinary profession

Most general practitioners have to see a very wide range of diseases and species in their general work, making it impossible to keep up to date in all areas of expertise. A good referral therefore allows your pet access to treatment from a clinician specialising full-time in one particular area and who is more experienced and knowledgeable in their subject than your general practitioner. They will also have access to specialist facilities not generally available in first-opinion practice.

There are no guidelines in the veterinary profession as to who can accept referrals. Any vet can potentially offer a referral service, and even call themselves a specialist, regardless of their level of knowledge/experience or the facilities available to them. At Anderson Sturgess Veterinary Specialists you and your pet will be seen by a clinician who has undergone at least three years of full-time specialist training in their field. In addition, many of our clinicians are 'RCVS/European/American Specialists'. Veterinary Surgeons with this Specialist status possess knowledge in their field to a much higher level than general practitioners or Certificate holders. Each clinical service is headed by an 'RCVS Specialist' -the highest level of veterinary specialisation in the UK.

European and RCVS Recognised Specialist status are not easily achieved. To view the veterinary qualifications needed to be included on the List of Recognised Specialists visit the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons website: www.rcvs.org.uk and click on the European College of Veterinary Surgeons website: www.ecvs.org for the definition of a European Specialist in Veterinary Surgery.

A multi-disciplinary Specialist centre has the benefits of a wide range of expertise all together under one roof.