Public
Conduct of Veterinary Surgeons
The Veterinary Surgeons’ Board ensures that veterinary surgeons working in Western Australia are competent and properly qualified and supervises the professional conduct of veterinary surgeons.
Veterinary surgeons are required at all times to behave in a professional manner towards the public and animals entrusted to their care. A high standard of conduct is required of all veterinary surgeons. The general public can expect any veterinary surgeon providing professional services to behave with integrity and to provide competent advice or treatment.
All veterinary surgeons who work in Western Australia must be registered with the Veterinary Surgeons’ Board. Strict rules ensure that registration is granted only to individuals who are qualified to practise veterinary surgery.
Complaints
The Veterinary Surgeons’ Board receives and investigates complaints about veterinary surgeons. It can allege to the State Administrative Tribunal that a veterinary surgeon has behaved unprofessionally which may result in sanctions such as a fine or suspension of registration being applied.
The Board ensures that people who are not properly qualified, do not claim to be veterinary surgeons or pretend to provide treatment.
The Board can only act on complaints that concern breaches of the Veterinary Surgeons Act. Concerns about unprofessional conduct and professional incompetence fall into this category.
However, a mistake in diagnosis and treatment, or an error of judgement by a veterinary surgeon would not necessarily sustain a charge under the Veterinary Surgeons Act.
It is not always easy for people considering making a complaint to know if their concerns involve a breach of the Veterinary Surgeons Act. Please contact the Board if doubt exists.
Disputes about fees and charges
Disputes about fees and charges cannot normally be dealt with by the Veterinary Surgeons’ Board. The Department of Commerce may be able to assist with these matters.
Making a complaint
If you believe a veterinary treatment has been unsatisfactory or you are concerned about your veterinary surgeon’s behaviour, you should first try to resolve the matter directly with the veterinary surgeon. The information sheet ‘General Public Enquiries’ below gives suggestions on the format to follow and provides detailed information on the process to follow if your negotiations with the veterinary surgeon are not successful.
In the event that you decide to lodge a complaint with the Veterinary Surgeons’ Board, you should complete the Complaint Form below and forward it to the Board along with all other relevant information.
The Board will then seek information from the veterinary surgeon and any other relevant person and then consider all the information to determine whether there is a possible breach of the Act. If so, the matter may be referred to the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT). The information sheet below provides more detail on the SAT process and possible penalties. More information can be obtained from the SAT website.
State Administrative Tribunal (SAT)
