The New Brunswick Veterinary Medical Association (NBVMA) is empowered by the Veterinarians Act as the regulatory body for the veterinarian profession in the Province of New Brunswick. The NBVMA’s purpose is to advance and maintain the standard of veterinary medicine by governing and regulating those offering veterinary care and providing for the welfare of members of the public and the profession.
Part of these duties and responsibilities is to help the public by investigating complaints against Veterinarians and Registered Veterinary Technicians/Technologists (RVT). To hear and consider these complaints the NBVMA has established a two-level system consisting of the Complaints Committee and the Discipline Committee.
The Veterinary Act does not allow the Complaints Committee to investigate complaints about veterinary fees or charges incurred. Any issues regarding fees are considered a civil matter and can be addressed by your legal counsel or through small claims court of NB.
WHEN SHOULD A FORMAL COMPLAINT BE CONSIDERED?
Members of the veterinary profession are expected to meet ethical and professional standards including, among other things, competency and professional conduct towards members of the public and the profession. If a member of the public believes that a member of the NBVMA, which includes practicing and non-practicing veterinarians, as well as RVT’s, has committed an act of professional or medical misconduct, has been dishonest, incompetent, or whose conduct is not ethical, they may file a formal complaint against that member. If your intent is to inform the Association about the actions of a member with the desired outcome being that another client does not have the same experience, this is not necessarily a “formal complaint”. It may, or may not, be addressed without involving the complaints process.
Prior to making a formal complaint, the public is strongly encouraged to attempt to resolve any issues or concerns directly with the veterinary team member involved or with the practice owner or hospital manager. Making a concerted effort to open the lines of communication can be a very effective way to come to a mutual understanding of any perceived missteps with the care of your pet. If you still have concerns about how your animal was treated, and attempts to resolve your concerns fail, then you may contact the Registrar by phone and leave a message to determine the next course of action. Your call will be returned within 2 business days. The involvement of the Registrar can help open the door to a resolution being reached.
It is important to note that financial compensation is not in the mandate of the complaints process. For that, an individual may contact a lawyer to explore what civil avenues are open to them.
A complaint is considered a “formal complaint” when it is received in writing and involves:
(i) professional misconduct;
(ii) conduct unbecoming a member;
(iii) incompetence;
(iv) dishonesty;
(v) conduct demonstrating the member is incapable or unfit to practice;
(vi) conduct in breach of the Act, bylaws or rules;
(vii) is suffering a habit, aliment or condition rendering them unfit, incapable or unsafe to practice.
A mistake, or error, is not necessarily incompetence. Verbally or physically abusing an animal, fraud, misrepresentation, deceit, and lack of consent are examples of actions that are found in “formal complaints” which result in professional disciplinary action.
Your formal complaint may be in English or French. The complaint must be typed, dated, signed, and then mailed to the Registrar of the NBVMA (address below). Please note that a complaint cannot be submitted in electronic format. There is no fee to file a complaint and there is no need for legal counsel, however you are permitted to engage counsel at this stage at your own expense.
Please note that a complaint cannot be against a hospital/clinic but must be against a veterinarian or registered veterinary technician.
NBVMA CONTACT INFORMATION
Phone: 506-693-9994
Click HERE for the Complaints Form
Mailing address for formal complaints:
New Brunswick Veterinary Medical Association
PO Box 5511
Dalhousie, NB, E8C 3C2
Attn: Dr. Mary Ellen Themens – Registrar
