This case study focuses on a part of the Vet Council’s fitness to practice process. It involves a veterinarian who worked through a process with the Council after declaring a health matter.

A complaint was made about a veterinarian, and during the investigation, the veterinarian declared a health issue they believed was affecting their practise.

A neuropsychologist’s report was then completed which found the veterinarian had an acute stress reaction, related to a generalised anxiety disorder, with prominent obsessional features.

The Council’s assessment and monitoring process is designed to separate health issues from conduct or discipline concerns. With a focus on rehabilitation, our intention is that a veterinarian should be able to safely remain in work with treatment for a health issue or return to work as quickly as possible.

The Vet Council sets the standards that veterinarians in New Zealand must meet to receive or maintain their registration, which includes fitness to practice.

All health cases are handled in a non-judgemental, confidential, and supportive manner. With our health process, we seek to better understand a veterinarian’s situation; if any measures are needed to ensure they can practice veterinary medicine safely; and how they can be supported to continue working.

The Complaints Assessment Committee (CAC) decided that the concerns raised in this complaint did not reach a threshold that would require action under the Veterinarians Act, and the complaint was closed. However, because the declaration was made by the veterinarian about their health, they were asked to work with the Vet Council to ensure they had support structures in place and could safely do their job.

This case was referred to the Vet Council’s Medical Advisor, who the Registrar consults with when managing health notifications. After considering the case and its potential pathways, the Medical Advisor suggested the veterinarian enter a Voluntary Undertaking (VU) with the Vet Council.

The VU outlined that the veterinarian would start seeing a psychiatrist, and that the psychiatrist would provide progress reports to the Council. It also required the veterinarian to have a senior veterinarian mentor who would regularly report to the Council.

From there, the veterinarian routinely met with the psychiatrist and showed they were committed to their recovery. The reports received by the Vet Council indicated that the veterinarian had a good relationship with their psychiatrist and had also started seeing a counsellor. The reports said the veterinarian was making progress in managing their health and wellbeing.

After 12 months, the requirement for reporting from the psychiatrist was ended and two years later the VU was completed.

This case demonstrates how taking a gentle approach to a health condition enabled a veterinarian to continue working. Monitoring requirements were put into place but were eventually relaxed. Most health cases that the Vet Council is involved with are notified by veterinarians themselves. 

The Vet Council’s approach to health is to always try to work with veterinarians to help them practice safely. If you’re unsure or worried about a health condition, please contact the Vet Council for an informal, confidential chat.