I'm a vet with VDS membership through my employer

I'm a vet, I have VDS membership through my employer's Practice Policy - does this cover me for locum shifts I do outside of my normal practice role?

As a vet named on a Practice Policy you need to be aware that you may not be covered for locum work done at another practice or business.

Civil claims

If the “locum” work is being done for and on behalf of the practice on whose policy you are named and you have the permission of the practice to do this work, the Policy will extend to cover you for civil claims relating to this work subject to Policy conditions (see Advice Note “Working outside your normal practice role”). We would suggest you obtain any agreement from the practice of this nature in writing.

However, if the locum work is being done independently and separately to your practice role, it is likely that your Practice Policy will not cover you (or the practice you will locuming at) for civil claims relating to your work. In order to ensure your work is covered there are a number of options (see Advice Note “Locums and Subcontractors - providing your services”).

Criminal and Disciplinary investigations

The Practice Policy on which you are named contains one section which provides “portable” cover and is individual to you. This cover will indemnify you for representation costs in criminal and disciplinary proceedings (e.g., RCVS or VCI disciplinary hearings) relating to your veterinary work at the practice and when undertaking locum or other veterinary activities.

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