Eligibility Notice

Important — This Module Only Applies to Emergency Service Clinics (ESC)

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Module 6 is not required for:

• Core Practices

• General Practice (GP) Practices

• Veterinary Hospitals

If your practice does not operate as an Emergency Service Clinic, you do not need to complete this module.

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When every second counts, your practice needs robust systems, clear protocols and highly trained teams.

 

Module 6 prepares your clinic for the highest standards of Emergency & Critical Care from staffing and equipment, to protocols, isolation, monitoring, and award-level ECC procedures.

 

What This Module Covers

 

​ECC Team & Staffing RequirementsYour practice must demonstrate safe staffing at all times, including:

• A full-time veterinary surgeon responsible for ECC clinical leadership

• A full-time RVN dedicated to nursing and patient care

• On-duty vet and nursing team present during all operating hours, with rotas as evidence

• Clear handover processes for anaesthetised patients and emergency admissions

 

This ensures consistent patient care day, night, weekends and emergencies.

 

Essential ECC Equipment & Facilities

 

To meet ECC standards, your practice must have:

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• X-ray, ECG, Ultrasound & Endoscopes on-site with training evidence

• Full haematology equipment, including PCV, WBC count and microscope auditing

• Blood gas, biochemistry & electrolyte analysers available during normal hours

• Surgical lighting with backup power supply or UPS

• Neonatal care facilities, heat, oxygen & suctionIsolation facilities with hand washing, separate airspace and closed drains, or an appropriate written policy

 

Monitoring, Critical Care & Patient Support

 

Practices must demonstrate the ability to:

 

• Provide close and accurate fluid therapy using infusion pumps or syringe drivers

• Deliver intensive care, including oxygen therapy, blood transfusion and temperature control

• Monitor comprehensive parameters:

  • Pulse oximetry

  • Capnography

  • Continuous ECG

  • Temperature & Blood pressure

 

This ensures safety and rapid intervention for critical patients.

 

Essential ECC Protocols & Written Policies

 

Your practice must hold written guidelines for:

• Emergency procedures & clinical emergency management for all team members (including locums)

• Referral protocols for trauma, spinal and head injuries

• Telephone answering, call-outs & fee estimates

• Transport policies, including oxygen provision and ambulance agreements

• Passing clinical history back to primary practices

 

These documents are critical for compliance and seamless patient care between practices.

 

ECC Award Points Building Towards Excellence

 

This module also includes optional award points to work towards ECC Good or Outstanding status. Examples include:

• ECC-specific CPD & dissemination evidence (10–50 points)

• Advanced ECC capabilities: blood gas, lactate, CRI, peritoneal dialysis, IPPV, central lines, transfusions and more (10 points each)

• Access to key emergency drugs such as activated charcoal, antiserum, methocarbamol, acetylcysteine & Vitamin K1 (40 points)

• Clinical audit of ECC procedures (20 points)

• Total points available: 620Good: 370 | Outstanding: 500+

 

​How I Can Support Your PracticeI help veterinary teams:

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• Prepare documentation for ECC compliance

• Create or refine protocols, policies and induction packs

• Audit and organise ECC evidence

• Prepare your practice for assessment

• Support ongoing ECC training and SOP development