Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act, 1982 (Act No. 19 of 1982)RulesRules relating to the Practising of Veterinary Professions: AmendmentPart V : Minimum standards for veterinary facilities23. General structural requirements |
| (1) | A veterinary facility at or from which a person practises a veterinary profession shall— |
| (a) | be a permanent structure. (This is not intended to exclude buildings, which are factory produced and site assembled, e.g. a prefabricated building as the word "permanent" relates to the materials used and not the building itself); |
| (b) | have a source of lighting, which is adequate to ensure the completion of a procedure in progress; |
| (c) | in the case of a referral veterinary facility or a veterinary facility where advanced surgical procedures are performed, have an alternate power supply to allow the veterinary facility to function in the event of a power failure and to meet the requirements of local authorities; |
| (d) | have a fire extinguishing apparatus, which meets the requirements of local authorities; |
| (e) | be so constructed as to prevent the escape of an animal and to ensure the effective confinement of animals at all times; |
| (f) | have appropriate equipment, or access thereto, for the effective sterilisation of surgical packs and other equipment; |
| (g) | have adequate storage for sterilised packs and employ acceptable techniques to indicate the effectiveness and expiry of sterilisation; |
| (h) | have facilities and equipment or access thereto for the hygienic disposal of soiled dressings, animal tissue and any other contaminated or unwholesome matter or objects to prevent the contamination of the veterinary facility as well as the environment; and |
| (i) | have equipment to determine the weight of patients adequately. |
| (2) | Subject to any requirements of a local or other authority, a veterinary facility shall consist of— |
| (a) | a reception and office area; |
| (b) | a waiting room for clients with access to toilet facilities; and |
| (c) | one or more examination rooms. |
| (3) | The internal walls and floor surfaces, shelves and tables of a veterinary facility shall be of such a nature that they can be properly cleansed and disinfected so that hygienic conditions can be maintained. |
| (4) | The drainage and washing water of a veterinary facility shall run into an adequate sewer and comply with the requirements of local authorities. |
| (5) | The veterinary facility shall have a direct public entrance. |
| (6) | Provision shall be made at a veterinary facility for the storage and disposal of carcasses in a manner, which will ensure that they will not start to decompose before being disposed of. |
| (7) | Provision shall be made at a veterinary facility for hygienic, insect and rodent free storage of therapeutic and nutritional requirements. |
| (8) | Adequate facilities shall be available for the preparation of food and washing and cleaning of all equipment. |