Scope of Practice

1. Introduction

This document has been written by ACPAT taking into consideration the current legislation and guidelines of: The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, The Veterinary Surgeon Exemptions Order (1962) and The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

The scope of practice of animal physiotherapy is derived from The Scope of Practice of Physiotherapy PA44 (CSP, June 2005).

The aim of the document is to make sure that ACPAT members are working within their individual scope of practice and within the overall scope of the physiotherapy profession and that their practice adheres strictly to the CSP Rules of Professional Conduct and Core Standards of Physiotherapy Practice.

"Chartered Physiotherapists shall only practice to the extent that they have established, maintained and developed their ability to work safely and competently and shall ensure that they have appropriate professional liability cover for that practice" (Rule 1, Rules of Professional Conduct, CSP 2002).

It is recommended that all animal physiotherapists make themselves aware of the relevant sections of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and the Veterinary Surgery (exemptions) Order 1962 that relate to the provision of physiotherapy.

The 1966 Act provides that (with certain specific exceptions) only Veterinary Surgeons may carry out acts of veterinary surgery upon animals. 'Veterinary surgery' is so defined by that act as to include the making of a diagnosis and the carrying out of tests for diagnostic purposes.

Of the exemptions created by the Veterinary Surgery (exemptions) Order 1962, one permits the treatment of an animal by physiotherapy, but this would not, for example, include acupuncture, homeopathy or aromatherapy.

The scope of practice of the profession of animal physiotherapy is a dynamic and constantly developing process, based on research and evidence and has the best interest of the animal / client at the heart.

It is, therefore, not appropriate for the profession to list the modalities available or practised as this will ossify the profession; prevent development of practice and maintain out of date and potentially dangerous practices (CSP, 2005).