VN March 2023

Vetnews | March 2023 33 The second reason for this rule is the protection of the well-being of the patient. It speaks for itself that a superseding clinician must know what previous treatments have been given to a patient. This is not only to avoid drug toxicities and interactions but also to prevent the patient from undergoing unnecessary invasive test procedures when results are already available. Obligations of the superseding veterinarian Suppose a patient that is currently being treated by a veterinarian (‘the superseded vet”) is presented to a second veterinarian (“the superseding vet”). In that case, the superseding vet must notify the superseded vet as soon as possible to get the patient’s current treatment details. The Rules only state that they must take steps to notify the original vet, and it does not place an absolute duty on the superseding vet to get the information before the examination or treatment of the patient is started. Whether the effort made by the superseding vet is reasonable will depend on each situation’s facts. Suppose the client does not inform the superseding vet that the patient is currently being treated, and there is nothing to indicate that the patient is currently being treated. In that case, there is no duty on the superseding vet to obtain any information. Suppose the client informs the superseding vet of the treatment but specifically instructs the vet not to contact the original vet. In that case, the superseding vet must keep a record of this instruction but is not obliged to contact the original vet. Obligations of the superseded vet The original veterinarianmust provide all the relevant information to the superseding veterinarian. This should be done as soon as possible and within a reasonable time. It is not expected of the original vet to attend to this immediately. The superseded vet is also not obliged to hand over this information to the second vet if the client has not fully paid the superseded vet’s account yet. However, if it is an emergency, the welfare of the animal will take precedence. It must be noted that only relevant information must be handed over to the superseding vet. What is relevant will depend on each case. Still, it does not mean that the original vet is automatically obliged to provide the entire veterinary history of the patient to the superseding vet. The role of supersession in a modern world Supersession plays an important role in the veterinary profession for the welfare and benefit of veterinary patients. But this comes with the caveat that it must not be used in our modern society to prevent competition between veterinary practices. A client must always be free to take a patient to another veterinarian. Unfortunately, the Rules are sometimes used by veterinarians to harm their competition. Supersession is one of the rules often abused in this way. The despicable action by some veterinarians who use this rule to obtain a competing practice’s records in an attempt to harm the other practice should not be allowed. The SAVC should therefore view complaints by veterinarians against other veterinarians based on supersession with circumspection. If you have any questions in this regard, please feel free to contact me at trudie@legalvetservices.co.za . v Legal Mews