CPD is an interactive process by which registered veterinary surgeons (“RVSs”) enhance the skills and knowledge they had at the time of graduation. The majority of the CPD should be relevant to the spheres in which they practise or plan to practice, and should contribute directly to the professional competence of the practising veterinary surgeons.
Paragraph 16 of the Code of Practice for the Guidance of Registered Veterinary Surgeons stipulates that RVSs need to maintain currency in skills and knowledge to ensure that the public are consistently offered the best options. Since 2008, RVSs have been encouraged to obtain at least 40 CPD points, of which a minimum of 25 points should be from “Structured Activities”, in the 2-year CPD reporting cycle starts from 1st January of every year and ends on 31st December of the following year on a voluntary basis (“Voluntary CPD Scheme”).
Having consulted the veterinary profession, the Veterinary Surgeons Board (the "Board") has decided that it is appropriate time to introduce a Mandatory CPD Scheme for the veterinary profession in Hong Kong. The aim of establishing the Mandatory CPD Scheme is to ensure that RVSs undertake sufficient post-graduate continuing education to enable them to provide veterinary services of the requisite standard.