RCVS suspends EMS requirements due to COVID-19

EMS requirements for veterinary students have tonight (16 March) been suspended by RCVS council in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Veterinary students are required to complete a minimum of 38 weeks of EMS throughout their degree programme to gain real-life work experience.

However, following a teleconference between Veterinary Schools Council members and the RCVS on 13 March, proposals were put to RCVS council – with the following approved by council members by email.

EMS

A degree of flexibility around completion of EMS has been granted, specifically:

• The RCVS recognises it should not be compulsory for students to complete EMS over the next eight-week period, after which the situation would be reviewed. This would apply to students in any year of their studies.
• The RCVS recognises that for students in their final year of study, it may be difficult to make up any missing EMS prior to graduation. Vet schools should continue to support students and explore alternatives for final-year students’ EMS placements; however, any shortfall in up to four weeks’ duration in EMS relative to the requirements should not be a barrier to completion of the programme.
• For students in years one to four of their studies, it would be expected sufficient time will be created for them to make up the full 38 weeks of EMS required to complete their degree programme. However, this will be reviewed as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses.

Restrictions

A statement from RCVS president Niall Connell has been provided to all UK veterinary schools – this, in turn, will be sent to all students.

In the statement, Dr Connell said: “EMS [is] an important and valued part of the veterinary programme, and all students are required to complete a total of 38 weeks across the full programme.

“However, the health and safety of students and staff are paramount, and we are aware a number of restrictions are being put in place at this time to ensure their safety and minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission.”

The measures will be subject to further review/extension, depending on the ongoing situation. The RCVS will monitor the impact of this through EMS completion data provided by veterinary schools.

Final exams and assessment

The RCVS said it recognises, as a result of the measures being implemented to minimise the risk to students and staff, it may be necessary for veterinary schools to consider alternative methods to assess students in certain areas.

The statement read: “In concordance with the RCVS Standards for Accreditation of Veterinary Programmes, UK veterinary schools should continue to ensure any alternative assessment methods continue to be robust, valid and reliable, and ensure students have met the RCVS Day One Competences.”