5712 legislation

Legislation for the Veterinary Industry

• The veterinary industry in New Zealand is affected by several acts and codes, covering aspects of animal welfare, registration/regulation of veterinarians, health and safety, privacy, and consumer protection.

Codes

• Codes are set guidelines to help people comply with recommended standards and requirements as set out in the Acts.
• Codes provide evidence to support a prosecution if someone is charged with an offence under an Act.

Veterinarians Act 2005

• All people who practice as veterinarians must be registered and have an Annual Practicing Certificate (APC).
• Any veterinarian claiming to be a specialist must have a recognized specialist qualification.
• Veterinarians can be disqualified from the register if they do not meet the requirements or if they do something wrong.

Complaints about a Vet

• Complaints about vets need to be written and made to the Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ).
• The complaints are reviewed by a Complaints Assessment Committee, which reviews the case and gathers all relevant information.
• Outcomes from a complaint vary from no action to suspension of the practicing license and can include restrictions on the ability to practice of a veterinarian.

Veterinary Council of New Zealand

• The purpose of the VCNZ is to uphold veterinary standards to protect people and animals and maintain trust in veterinary professionals.
• It is compulsory for any veterinarian practicing in NZ to register with the VCNZ and have an APC.
• The VCNZ website has a register where you can check any registered vet in New Zealand and any restrictions on their practice.

NZ Veterinary Code of Conduct

• The code sets out standards that NZ veterinarians are expected to meet.
• The principles are broad and expected to cover all aspects of veterinary practice.
• All veterinarians should be familiar with these standards.
• Members of the public can read the code to check the standards expected of veterinarians.

Allied Professionals

• New Zealand has no legal regulation of veterinary nurses or other allied veterinary professionals.
• The professional responsibility falls to the veterinarians who are governed by the Veterinarians Act 2005.

Allied Veterinary Professional Regulatory Council of New Zealand

• A voluntary regulatory body that works in conjunction with the VCNZ.
• Aim is to protect animal welfare and public interest by ensuring that veterinary nurses, technicians, and allied animal health care practitioners are fit to practice.

New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association (NZVNA)

• Provides professional advice and support for veterinary nurses and technologists.
• Aims to 'protect, inspire and advance' veterinary nursing and allied professionals in NZ.

NZVNA Professional Guidelines

• Published by the NZVNA.
• Describes the roles and responsibilities of a vet nurse.
• Describes how vet nurses are expected to conduct themselves and interact with the public and colleagues.

Privacy Act 2020

• Controls who can collect, share, use, and store your personal information.
• Ensures you know who has your information, it is kept safe and secure, and only used for the purpose it was collected for.

Why Know About Legislation?

• The veterinary industry is affected by several acts and codes, which cover aspects of animal welfare, registration/regulation of veterinarians, health and safety, privacy, and consumer protection.
• It is important to be aware of what is reasonably expected and what limitations there are in practice, and why.
• This will affect you in your professional career and is likely to change over time.

Taking Photos and Social Media

• While it's technically possible to take photos of people (and pets) and post them on social media without breaching the Privacy Act, there can be consequences.
• The Harmful Digital Communications Act is in place to protect from certain behaviors such as cyberbullying and spreading personal information.
• The Harassment Act may also apply depending on the context.
• Organisations like clinics must get permission from clients before posting anything personal (including images) online.

Employment Relations Act 2000

• The aim of this act is to build constructive relationships between employers and employees.
• It is used in courts to promote effective enforcement of employment standards.
• The act covers conditions of work, restructuring, rest and meal breaks, and more.

Ownership

• Pets are considered 'property' in the eyes of the law.
• A clinic cannot withhold pets from their owners without consent, which would be considered theft.
• Pets can only be removed from owners without consent through a dog control officer (Council) or animal welfare inspectors (SPCA).
• Ownership disputes can only be determined in a court.

Animal Welfare Act 1999

• The act is covered in detail elsewhere in the programme.
• Codes of Welfare form part of the act and provide more detailed descriptions of accepted and best practices for various species/situations.
• The act is crucial for anyone who works with animals.

Restricted Surgical Procedures

• (No detailed information provided)

Legislation for the Veterinary Industry

• The purpose of this lecture is to discuss legislation relevant to the veterinary industry in NZ.
• This is not a law lecture, and legal advice should be sought from a lawyer if needed.
• The veterinary industry is affected by several different acts and codes, including animal welfare, registration/regulation of veterinarians, health and safety, privacy, and consumer protection.

Most Important Acts

• Animal Welfare Act 1999
• Veterinarian's Act 2005
• Privacy Act 2020
• Employment Relations Act 2000
• Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997
• Medicine Act 1981
• Misuse of Drugs Act 1975/1984
• Radiation Safety Act of 2016
• Code of Practice for Veterinary Radiation
• Biosecurity Act 1993
• Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
• Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996
• Resource Management Act 1991

Taking Photos and Social Media

• Personally, you can take photos of people and pets and post them on social media without breaching the Privacy Act, but this doesn't mean you can do so without consequences.
• The Harmful Digital Communications Act protects against behaviors like cyberbullying and spreading personal information.
• The Harassment Act may also apply depending on how you use the information.

Employment Relations Act 2000

• The aim of this act is to build constructive relationships between employers and employees.
• It is used in courts to promote effective enforcement of employment standards.
• The act covers conditions of work, restructuring, rest and meal breaks, etc.

Ownership

• Pets are considered 'property' in the eyes of the law.
• A clinic cannot withhold pets from their owners without consent, as this would be considered theft.
• The only way pets can be removed from owners without their consent is through a dog control officer or animal welfare inspectors.
• Ownership can only be determined in a court.

Animal Welfare Act 1999

• The Animal Welfare Act, Codes of Welfare, and Animal Welfare Regulations are crucial for anyone working with animals.
• The Codes of Welfare provide more detailed descriptions of accepted and best practices for various species and situations.

Restricted Surgical Procedures

• (No specific information provided)

Privacy Act 2020

• The 11 Principles of the Privacy Act include:
  • Purpose for collection: Collect personal information only for a lawful purpose.
  • Source of information: Collect information directly from the individual unless specific exceptions apply.
  • Collection of information from the individual: Inform clients of the purpose and who will have access to their information.
  • Manner of collection: Collect information in a lawful, fair, and not unreasonably intrusive manner.
  • Storage and security: Protect personal information with reasonable security safeguards.
  • Access to personal information: Individuals have the right to access and correct their personal information.
  • Correction: Ensure the accuracy of personal information and correct it when necessary.
  • Accuracy before use: Ensure personal information is accurate, complete, relevant, and not misleading before using it.
  • Use of personal information: Use personal information only for the original purpose collected.
  • Disclosure of personal information: Disclose personal information only when necessary for a specific purpose.

Legislation for the Veterinary Industry

• The veterinary industry is affected by several acts and codes, covering aspects of animal welfare, registration/regulation of veterinarians, health and safety, privacy, and consumer protection.

Importance of Legislation

• Knowledge of legislation is crucial for a professional career in the veterinary industry and is likely to change over time.
• It is essential to be aware of what is reasonably expected and what limitations there are in practice.

Key Acts and Codes

• Animal Welfare Act 1999: covers animal welfare, with codes of welfare forming part of the act and providing detailed descriptions of accepted and best practices for various species/situations.
• Veterinarians' Act 2005: regulates the registration and practice of veterinarians.
• Privacy Act 2020: covers the collection, storage, and use of personal information, with 11 principles to ensure privacy and security.
• Employment Relations Act 2000: regulates employment relationships.
• Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997: covers the registration, manufacturing, importation, sale, and use of agricultural compounds, veterinary medicines, and related products.
• Medicines Act 1981 and Medicine Regulations Act 1984: regulate the use of human medications in veterinary practice.
• Misuse of Drugs Act 1975: controls the use, possession, manufacture, and supply of controlled drugs and substances.
• Radiation Safety Act 2016: protects the health and safety of people from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.
• Code of Practice for Veterinary Radiation: applies to all activities involving the storage or use of irradiating apparatus and radioactive material.

Privacy Act 2020

• Purpose of collection: lawful purpose connected with a function or activity of the clinic.
• Source of information: collected directly from individuals unless specific exceptions apply.
• Collection of information from the individual: clients must be made aware of the fact that their information is being collected, the purpose for which it is collected, and who will have access to it.
• Manner of collection: lawful, fair, and not unreasonably intrusive.
• Storage and security: protected by reasonable security safeguards against loss, unauthorised access, use, modification, or disclosure.
• Access to personal information: individuals have the right to access their personal information and request corrections if necessary.
• Correction: individuals should be able to request correction of their personal information, and the clinic should take reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of the information collected.
• Accuracy before use: ensure that personal information is accurate, complete, relevant, and not misleading before use or disclosure.
• Use of personal information: use of personal information should not exceed the original purpose for which it was collected.
• Disclosure of personal information: personal information should not be disclosed unless the clinic believes on reasonable grounds that it is necessary for a specific purpose.

Examples of Privacy Act 2020

• If a lost dog comes in, you scan it and find the owner's details on the clinic's database, you cannot give the address of the owner to the person who found the dog, even if they have good intentions.
• If a cat comes in for a vaccination and is scanned, and the owner is on the New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR) but is not the same person as your client, you cannot disclose the owner's information to the client.

Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997

• Covers rules and requirements for the registration, manufacturing, importation, sale, and use of agricultural compounds, veterinary medicines, and related products.
• Registration of Veterinary Medicines: regulates the registration of veterinary medicines.
• Importation and Manufacture: regulates the importation and manufacture of veterinary medicines.
• Advertising and Promotion: regulates the advertising and promotion of veterinary medicines.
• Prescription and Supply: regulates the prescription and supply of veterinary medicines.
• Labelling and Packaging: regulates the labelling and packaging of veterinary medicines.
• Record Keeping and Reporting: regulates the record keeping and reporting of veterinary medicines.
• Compliance and Enforcement: regulates the compliance and enforcement of the act.

Misuse of Drugs Act 1975

• Controls the use, possession, manufacture, and supply of controlled drugs and substances.
• List of Controlled Drugs: regulates the list of controlled drugs.
• Prescription Requirements of Controlled Drugs: regulates the prescription requirements of controlled drugs.
• Storage and Security: regulates the storage and security of controlled drugs.
• Dispensing and Administration: regulates the dispensing and administration of controlled drugs.
• Reporting Obligations: regulates the reporting obligations of controlled drugs.
• Collaboration with Authorities: regulates the collaboration with authorities on controlled drugs.
• Updates and Amendments: regulates the updates and amendments of the act.

Radiation Safety Act 2016 and Code of Practice for Veterinary Radiation

• Purpose of the Radiation Safety Act 2016: to protect the health and safety of people from the harmful effects of ionising radiation while allowing for its safe and beneficial use.
• Code of Practice for Veterinary Radiation: applies to all activities involving the storage or use of irradiating apparatus and radioactive material.
• Irradiating apparatus: includes X-ray machines (fixed and mobile) and CT equipment.
• Radioactive material: includes iodine 131 (used for radioactive thyroid treatment) and technetium-99m (used in diagnostics).
• Provides operational information in order to comply with the Radiation Safety Act 2016.

Code of Practice for Veterinary Radiation (Summary)

• A management system must be in place to ensure a high level of health and safety standards.
• A radiation safety officer needs to be appointed.
• All employees are aware of their responsibilities.
• All activities are justified and optimised.
• Dose limits for occupational and public exposures are not exceeded.
• No person under the age of 16 is (or could be) exposed to occupational exposure.
• Annual review of the entire process to verify compliance and assess effectiveness with the code.

Protective Gear

• Lead-lined gowns, gloves, and thyroid shields must be used and stored properly to protect against radiation exposure.

Legislation for the Veterinary Industry

• The veterinary industry in NZ is affected by several acts and codes, covering aspects such as animal welfare, registration/regulation of veterinarians, health and safety, and privacy and consumer protection.
• It's essential to be aware of what is reasonably expected and what limitations there are in practice and why.

Important Acts and Codes

• Animal Welfare Act 1999
• Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Amendment Regulations 2020
• Veterinarians Act 2005
• Privacy Act 2020
• Employment Relations Act 2000
• Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997
• Medicine Act 1981
• Misuse of Drugs Act 1975/1984
• Radiation Safety Act of 2016
• Code of Practice for Veterinary Radiation
• Biosecurity Act 1993
• Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
• Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996
• Resource Management Act 1991

What is Legislation?

• An Act is a law passed by Parliament, administered by a government agency.
• A Code is a set of guidelines to help people comply with the recommended standards and requirements as set out in the Acts.

Animal Welfare Act 1999

• Not covered in detail as it's covered elsewhere in the programme.
• Codes of Welfare, Animal welfare Regulations, and the Animal Welfare Act are crucial for anyone working with animals.

Veterinarians Act 2005

• All practicing veterinarians must be registered and have an Annual Practicing Certificate (APC).
• Veterinarians can be disqualified from the register if they do not meet the requirements or do something wrong.

Complaints about a Vet

• Complaints about vets need to be written and made to the Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ).
• The complaints are reviewed by a Complaints Assessment Committee, which reviews the case and gathers all relevant information.

Veterinary Council of New Zealand

• The purpose of the VCNZ is to uphold veterinary standards to protect people and animals and maintain trust in veterinary professionals.
• It's compulsory for any veterinarian practicing in NZ to register with the VCNZ and have an APC.

NZ Veterinary Code of Conduct

• The code sets out standards that NZ veterinarians are expected to meet.
• The principles are broad and expected to cover all aspects of veterinary practice.

Allied Veterinary Professionals

• NZ has no legal regulation of veterinary nurses or other allied veterinary professionals; therefore, the professional responsibility falls to the veterinarians who are governed by the Veterinarians Act 2005.

New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association (NZVNA)

• Provides professional advice and support for veterinary nurses and technologists.
• Aims to 'protect, inspire, and advance' veterinary nursing and allied professionals in NZ.

Privacy Act 2020

• Controls who can collect, share, use, and store personal information.
• Ensures you know who has your information, it's kept safe and secure, and only used for the purpose it was collected for.

Radiation Safety Act 2016 and Code of Practice for Veterinary Radiation

• Purpose of the act is to protect the health and safety of people from the harmful effects of ionising radiation while allowing for its safe and beneficial use.
• Applies to all activities related to storage or use of irradiating apparatus and radioactive material.

Code of Practice for Veterinary Radiation (Summary)

• A management system must be in place to ensure a high level of health and safety standards.
• A radiation safety officer needs to be appointed.
• All employees are aware of their responsibilities.
• All activities are justified and optimised.
• Dose limits for occupational and public exposures are not exceeded.
• No person under the age of 16 is (or could be) exposed to occupational exposure.
• Annual review of the entire process to verify compliance and assess effectiveness with the code.

Legislation for the Veterinary Industry

• The veterinary industry in NZ is affected by several different acts and codes, covering aspects of animal welfare, registration/regulation of veterinarians, health and safety, privacy, and consumer protection.

Important Legislation

• Animal Welfare Act 1999: Covered in other courses and focuses on animal welfare and codes of practice for different species/situations.
• Veterinarian's Act 2005: Regulates the registration and regulation of veterinarians.
• Privacy Act 2020: Concerns privacy and consumer protection.
• Employment Relations Act 2000: Aims to build constructive relationships between employers and employees, promoting effective enforcement of employment standards.
• Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997: Covers rules and requirements for the registration, manufacturing, importation, sale, and use of agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines.
• Medicine Act 1981 and Medicine Regulations Act 1984: Relevant when human medications are used in veterinary practices.
• Misuse of Drugs Act 1975: Controls the use, possession, manufacture, and supply of controlled drugs and substances in veterinary practices.
• Radiation Safety Act 2016: Protects the health and safety of people from the harmful effects of ionising radiation while allowing for its safe and beneficial use.

Codes of Practice

• Code of Practice for Veterinary Radiation: Applies to all activities involving storage or use of irradiating apparatus and radioactive material, providing operational information to comply with the Radiation Safety Act 2016.

Important Concepts

• Legislation is essential for veterinary professionals to be aware of, as it affects their professional career and is likely to change over time.
• Pets are considered 'property' in the eyes of the law, and clinics cannot withhold them from their owners.
• Ownership can only be determined in a court, and microchipping does not necessarily prove ownership.
• veterinarians must be cautious when posting anything online, considering the Privacy Act, Harmful Digital Communications Act, and Harassment Act.
• Organisations like clinics must get permission from clients before posting anything personal (including images) online.