The Veterinary Surgery (Epidural Anaesthesia) Order 1992

Exemption from prohibition of practice of veterinary surgery

3.—(1) The administration of epidural anaesthesia for the purpose of embryo collection or transfer, if carried out by a person who complies with the conditions set out in paragraph (2) below, is hereby specified as a minor treatment, test or operation for the purposes of section 19(4)(e) of the Act (which provides that the prohibition of the practice of veterinary surgery by unqualified persons contained in section 19(1) of the Act shall not apply to the carrying out or performance of any minor treatment, test or operation specified in an Order made under the said section 19(4)(e) so long as any conditions so specified are complied with).

(2) The conditions referred to in paragraph (1) above are as follows.

(3) Any person administering epidural anaesthesia—

(a) shall be not less than 18 years of age and be undergoing an approved course of instruction in the administration of epidural anaesthesia; or

(b) shall be not less than 18 years of age and—

(i) have completed an approved course and passed the necessary tests or examinations in the administration of epidural anaesthesia at a University Veterinary School in the United Kingdom to the effect that he is certified as competent to administer epidural anaesthesia, and

(ii) have given notice of that certification to the Minister, to the Secretary of State or to the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, as the case may be, to that effect,

(iii) in the event that he has not practised the administration of epidural anaethesia for two years or more, completed an approved refresher course.

(4) In addition to the conditions specified in paragraph (3) above, any such person shall administer epidural anaesthesia only while he is acting—

(a) in the case of a person described in paragraph (3)(a) above, under the direct and continuous personal supervision of a qualified person;

(b) in any other case, on the instructions and under the authority of a team veterinarian (or other qualified person nominated by him in his stead) and as a member of an embryo collection or embryo transfer team.