Procedure Guidelines for Complaints about Veterinarians
The following information is provided to assist in the preparation of complaints to the Veterinary Board of Tasmania. The process of dealing with complaints is determined by the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1987.
All complaints must be in writing.
The Veterinary Board cannot consider anonymous complaints.
Please note: your letter of complaint will be copied to the veterinarian for a response before the matter is formally considered by the Board. The complaint may be given preliminary consideration to determine if there has been enough information provided.
You will be advised when the Board receives your complaint and if further details are required.
What to include in a complaint
The written complaint must be signed and dated and provide the following details:
your name
your address
a phone number
if not yourself, the owner of the animal (name and address), or where no animal is involved the other person or persons to whom the complaint relates
the name, practice name, and address of the veterinary surgeon about whom the complaint is being made
details of the facts of the complaint - it is preferable that emotive language is not used.
relevant background information to the matter
any supportive statements signed by the persons making statements.
The Summary Complaint Notification Form should be returned with your letter of complaint. (Please note that the summary document does not replace your fully detailed letter of complaint and supportive statements).
If you did not present the animal to the veterinarian, a written, signed statement is also required from the person presenting the animal.
Next steps
Following receipt of the complaint and the veterinarian's response the Board may do several things:
If the Board finds that there is a legitimate complaint, the Board may impose a penalty. The penalties range from a caution to cancellation of registration.
There are some matters which, while important to clients, cannot be dealt with by the Board. Such matters relate to fees and compensation. If these issues need to be addressed it is appropriate that civil action be taken through the courts.
Return your complaint to: