VN October 2023

Oktober 2023 31 information as soon as possible. The initial veterinarian must provide the relevant information to the second veterinarian as soon as reasonably possible. This is subject thereto that the veterinarian may retain laboratory results and diagnostic images until the client has paid for themunless it is an emergency, in which case it must be provided. The initial veterinarian may not contact the client to try to convince the client to return to the initial veterinarian. Using Confidential Information Intrusion in the veterinary professional context is set out in Rule 12. Using confidential information about the nature and extent of a colleague’s practice to promote your practice is seen as an intrusion. Using an employer’s intellectual property or your association with an employer to promote your practice at the expense of your colleagues is also viewed as an intrusion. Intrusion is not collegial. It is viewed in such a serious light that a veterinarian found guilty of intrusion can be deregistered. Collegial conduct when advertising The Rules relating to advertising in Rule 13 also prohibit conduct that is non-collegial. When advertising his or her practice or services, a veterinarian may not harm the reputation of the profession. Advertisements may not compare the services, knowledge, or products to those of other veterinarians or claim that it is superior. The quality of colleagues’ services or products may also not be criticised. The SAVC encourages anyone unclear on the acceptability of advertising material to seek guidance from them. What should a veterinarian do when a colleague’s conduct is potentially harmful to a patient or the profession? The Rules promoting collegial conduct are not intended to prevent a veterinarian from intervening when there is unprofessional conduct by a fellow veterinarian. Rule 45(2) stipulates that a veterinarian must report any unethical, illegal, or unprofessional conduct by a person registered in terms of the Veterinary Act. This is especially important when the welfare of a patient may be compromised or when the person is aware that an unregistered person is employed as a professional. The practical first step should always be to have a personal conversation with the colleague and to attempt to resolve the issue in a non-judgemental compassionate manner. If such an attempt is unsuccessful, other routes can be followed. Members of SAVA may approach SAVA’s Ethical Committee, or the matter can be reported to the SAVC. The Rules require that a veterinarian must report the suspected impairment or impairment of any registered person, including a student to the Council. Impairment is defined in Rule 1 means “…such a level of physical or mental impairment, which includes substance abuse or addiction, thatmay affect the practice of veterinary science to such an extent that the welfare of the patients, the interest of a client, and/or the image of the profession may be compromised; ”. Final thoughts It is clear from the Rules and the Code that collegial conduct is protected in the veterinary profession and that is as relevant today as it was a few decades ago. In fact, in a world where we know how vulnerable the veterinary profession is to suicide and where there are movements such as “NOMV” (Not One More Veterinarian), we must be kind to our colleagues. This does not mean that unprofessional conduct to the detriment of patients, clients, and the veterinary profession should be allowed. However, one should always act in a way that is the least harmful to the parties involved. If you have any questions in this regard, please feel free to contact me at trudie@legalvetservices.co.za v Legal Mews