That is the problem, it hasn’t been a common practice for many years.
If the Code of professional conduct for a UK doctor was anything like the NZ code for veterinarians
http://www.vetcouncil.org.nz/CPC/ProfIntegrity/CPC_ProfIntegrity.php there had to be a charge or conviction for a criminal act first.
"Veterinarians must, at the time of completing their annual practising certificate application, declare if they have:
Any health conditions;
Been charged with or found guilty of a criminal offence;
Been suspended or dismissed on conduct or competence grounds;
Resigned for reasons relating to competence or conduct;
Been subject to an adverse finding by an overseas veterinary regulatory body.
Veterinarians must also consider notifying VCNZ of any of the above issues at the time they arise rather than delaying until the annual practising certificate round.
Understanding Section 11
Notifying Health Concerns
Veterinarians must declare any health conditions with the potential to affect their fitness to practise in their annual practising certificate applications.
Conditions that may affect a veterinarian's ability to practise include:
Alcohol or drug abuse or dependence;
Mental health issues, including depressive disorders;
Stress related impairment;
Declining competence due to loss of motor skills or the early stages of dementia;
Physical deterioration due to injury, disease or degeneration;
Other illnesses and injuries.
Veterinarians should not rely on their own assessment of the impact of their condition on their practice. If in doubt the condition should be notified or advice sought from the VCNZ Registrar.
It is strongly recommended that veterinarians notify VCNZ of any health issues at the time they arise and not wait until the annual practising certificate renewal round. VCNZ's experience is that early notification and early intervention results in better outcomes. Unless the VCNZ Health Committee can work with the veterinarian and treating health practitioners at the beginning, there is a likelihood that treatment plans may need to be altered following the (later) practising certificate declaration.
The VCNZ Policy on Health Impaired Veterinarians sets out how the VCNZ's Health Committee manages unwell practitioners. The approach is non-judgmental, rehabilitative and confidential, except in extreme cases where the veterinarian refuses to co-operate and the public interest is threatened.
Notifications should be in writing to the VCNZ Registrar and include copies of medical reports where relevant.
Before notifying veterinarians are encouraged to contact the VCNZ Registrar to discuss their situation and to find out what information is needed.
Notifying Competence and Conduct issues
VCNZ must be satisfied that veterinarians remain competent and fit to practise. Matters occurring in New Zealand or overseas that may bring a veterinarian's competence or fitness to practise into question include:
Police investigations, criminal charges or convictions, including traffic offences involving alcohol and/or drugs;
Investigations by an employer, or registration or professional body or educational institution or other authority that may become the subject of disciplinary proceedings;
Suspension or dismissal from work on conduct or competence grounds;
Resignation for reasons related to competence or conduct;
Adverse findings in any disciplinary actions by an employer, registration, professional body or other authority.
Veterinarians must declare such matters in their annual practicing certificate applications.
It is also strongly recommended that veterinarians notify VCNZ of these matters at the time they occur and not wait until the annual practising certificate renewal round.
Veterinarians should not rely on their own assessment as to whether this matter impacts adversely on their practice. If in doubt the matter should be notified or advice sought from the VCNZ Registrar.
Failure to notify can have serious consequences.
The VCNZ Policy on Competence and Competence Assessment contains information on how VCNZ manages performance concerns.
Notifications about conduct are considered in the first instance by VCNZ, to determine whether the matter adversely affects on the veterinarian's fitness to practice. VCNZ takes into account the individual circumstances of each case. For example, in the case of convictions or adverse disciplinary findings, VCNZ will consider:
The severity of the matter;
Any extenuating circumstances;
Subsequent conduct and any steps taken to rehabilitate;
The veterinarian's attitude - including, where relevant, the steps taken to address reparation and their insight into the impact of their actions.
Notifications should be in writing to the VCNZ Registrar and include copies of relevant background information. For example copies of disciplinary findings and orders, conviction notices etc
Before notifying VCNZ, veterinarians are encouraged to contact the VCNZ Registrar to discuss their situation and to find out what information is needed."
