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Following our RCVS Practice Standards inspection, our Dudley surgery is now classified as a Veterinary Hospital, a status we are extremely proud of.

A Veterinary Hospital is not to be confused with an animal hospital, which is not RCVS inspected. There is a big difference and we have worked very hard to ensure we comply with the exacting standards required by the Royal College.

Lye surgery has all the facilities of a veterinary hospital but unfortunately we are unable to provide separate overnight cover at that surgery. Hospitalised pets from all our surgeries are transported to the Dudley Hospital by ambulance for overnight nursing care whenever necessary. Therefore Lye, Sedgley and Causeway Green surgeries are RCVS Tier 2 and Quinton RCVS Tier 1. Rest assured all our surgeries have the highest level of standard of staff and all premises are fully equipped and have the back-up and support of the Dudley Hospital.

What is the definition of an RCVS inspected Tier 3 Veterinary Hospital?

A Veterinary Hospital has the highest level of standard of staff, equipment and management. All Veterinary Hospitals have been inspected by Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Inspectors to ensure that they meet the standards laid down by the RCVS, at the highest “Tier 3” level.

What does this mean for your pets?nurse with rabbit

We are all aware that an important part of being a vet is having a true passion to care for animals. The vets and nurses in Veterinary Hospitals must fulfil annual training requirements and are committed to providing top quality care to your pets.

Even the most dedicated vet cannot work without a high standard of modern equipment and nursing support. The Veterinary Hospital title guarantees that your vet has the facilities to help your pet even in the most difficult of circumstances. There is a long list of requirements for Veterinary Hospitals but some of the ones which are the most important are:

24-hour nursing cover

Only Veterinary Hospitals are guaranteed to have staff available to treat in-patients 24 hours daily. Read what round-the-clock care means for our patients at Blacks.

Intensive care facilities

Only Veterinary Hospitals are guaranteed to have intensive care equipment such as oxygen therapy units and intravenous fluid pumps.

Operating facilities and diagnostic equipment

Only Veterinary Hospitals are required to have dedicated operating facilities, ultrasound machines, endoscopy facilities and ECG machines.

These mandatory facilities allow Veterinary Hospitals to offer the very best of care. More details about the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme are available from the RCVS website