S.L. 437.106 Art. 8Veterinary medical consultancy practice.

No licence for the running of a veterinary consultancy practice shall be granted unless the requirements in regulation 7 are satisfied together with the following minimum requirements:

(1) Minimal structural requirements:

(a) if the consultancy practice forms part of another establishment, commercial or otherwise, the area within the premises licensed as a consultancy shall not be used for any other purpose except that of veterinary practice;

(b) applications for consultancy practices cannot be granted in commercial establishments considered as pet shops as defined in the Pet Shop Regulations, 2012;

(c) examination room which ensures clients’ privacy and is equipped with hand basin and disinfection facilities. The size of such room should at least be sufficient for a veterinary surgeon, patient and client, as well as allow for traffic to and from the rooms. The room shall also be equipped with an examination table capable of being easily disinfected. Every examination room must have up-to-date diagnostic equipment for a clinical examination of the patient;

(d) if veterinary medicinal products are stocked in the consultancy practice, these shall be kept in a pharmacy room or a lockable cupboard, containing an adequate and, readily available supply, of medicinal products and materials used in the treatment of animals. An efficient stock control system is to be set up which includes a register and a secure, lockable receptacle for the storage of controlled drugs. Medicines shall be properly and safely stored in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions. Dispensed medicines should be labelled with the following:

(i) the name of the product;

(ii) directions for use;

(iii) significant precautions relating to the use of the product;

(iv) the name of the animal and of its owner;

(v) the veterinary surgeon dispensing the drug;

(2) Minimum technological requirements:

(a) if veterinary medicinal products that require refrigeration are stocked at the consultancy practice, a refrigerator has to be provided;

(b) weighing scales; and

(3) Minimum administrative requirements:

(a) notification of the opening hours or methods of access to the service;

(b) name and title of any veterinary surgeon running the consultancy practice;

(c) patient records shall be kept in a secure place, accessibility to these records shall be restricted to the veterinary staff;

(d) notification of contact details of a twenty-four hour emergency service.