Professional standards and gui...
Code of Professional Conduct
Summary: The 7 principles
The Code is structured around 7 broad principles that guide professional veterinary practice. The principles are:
- Veterinarians have a duty to promote positive animal welfare and alleviate animal suffering
- Veterinarians must act reasonably to protect their clients' privacy and communicate in a way that educates and empowers their clients to make informed decisions about their animals.
- Veterinarians must communicate effectively with colleagues in a way that fosters respect and professionalism in the interests of clients, their animals, and the profession.
- Veterinarians must act in a way that protects and promotes the public's trust and confidence in the profession.
- Veterinarians must deliver evidence-based veterinary services of a high standard, appropriate to meet the needs of their clients and the welfare health care needs of the animals under their care, and ensure their clients’ animals have access to emergency care.
- Veterinarians must act as responsible stewards of veterinary medicines. They must use sound professional judgment to protect animal health and welfare, the environment and public health and consider both short and long-term impacts.
- Veterinarians must comply with the law, this Code and other VCNZ professional standards.
Download a poster with the 7 principles:
Updates
Added
8 Feb 2023
Updated 07 Mar 2023
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