Glossary
Continuity and out-of-hours cover of carecontinuité et permanence des soins
Continuity of care is the duty of a vet to ensure follow-up for the animals entrusted to them, and out-of-hours cover is the duty to take part in the emergency duty rota (articles R242-48 and R242-61 of the French Rural Code).
The code of professional conduct requires a vet to ensure continuity of care for the animals entrusted to them (article R242-48, paragraph IV). Continuity can be arranged under an agreement between self-employed vets.
Vets must take part in out-of-hours cover (article R242-61, headed “Service de garde”). The cover can be arranged under an agreement between vets, which must be lodged with the regional council of the Ordre.
Sources
See also
- Ordre des vétérinaires The Ordre des vétérinaires is the statutory body every practising vet in France must join; it keeps the register of vets and enforces professional ethics and independence (article L242-1 of the French Rural Code).
- Veterinary code of professional conduct The veterinary code of professional conduct is the set of professional rules laid down in articles R242-32 and following of the French Rural Code; it applies in particular to vets practising in France under article L241-1 of that code.
- Veterinary premises categories French law reserves the titles practice, clinic, specialist referral centre and veterinary hospital for regulated veterinary premises that meet the standards of the order of 13 March 2015.