The Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) have been very interested in promoting and developing the skills of the GP vet throughout its 70-year history.  In 1998, the discussions in the Society had begun to be more intense and a working party was formed. This led to the presentation of a paper on the subject of postgraduate veterinary education by the three members of the Working Party at the SPVS conference in Torquay during Chris Chesney's Presidential year 2000. 

Subsequently, the debate led to the formation of a partnership between SPVS, the Professional Development Foundation and Middlesex University; and this produced the first SPVS Masters Group. 

This Group was recruited in May 2001, and commenced their work to explore the question: was a GP certificate desirable, practical, achievable and feasible?  The group undertook a work-based learning experience accredited to QAA standards which involved a research project that was to prove of considerable importance to the profession.

The findings of the group were presented to SPVS and the Royal College of Veterinary surgeons (RCVS) in the autumn of 2003. The RCVS subsequently confirmed that the traditional postgraduate certificates would be replaced with a modular Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP) which reflected many of the recommendations of the group and the RCVS working party that had liaised considerably over the period of the research.  This is set to change the system of postgraduate education in the veterinary profession significantly for many years to come and may act as a model for other professions in the future.

All 8 members of the Group graduated at a ceremony at the RCVS in February 2004 which was a momentous occasion as they were the first pioneers to achieve an MSc in general veterinary practice.  This was the first time that in practice research had been completed by GP Vets for GP Vets.

Seven of the original eight members of the group are now undertaking doctorate research projects to expand and develop their research and all of the members of the group remain committed to the introduction of the new RCVS modular Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice and the greater involvement of the practising arm of the profession in the development of veterinary education in the future. 

http://www.vetgp.co.uk/