Man accused of falsely registering as a vet faces disciplinary hearing

A man accused of working as a vet without qualifications will face an inquiry at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) on Friday, 18 April.

Russell Oakes, 41, of High Road, London N22, is accused of registering with the RCVS in November 2006 using a forged Australian degree.

Oakes began practising from Warren Farm, Formby, Merseyside at the end of last year. He was known among the equestrian community in the area as an osteopath, but local vets were concerned about the quality of his work as a vet.

Seamus Miller MRCVS, equine vet with Rufford Veterinary Group, contacted the RCVS, which in turn called the police. Oakes was arrested on suspicion of fraud and forgery, but later released without charge on unconditional police bail.

While a police investigation is still ongoing, Oakes is due in front of the RCVS disciplinary committee at 10am on Friday.

If found guilty of false registration, he will be struck off from the RCVS register and unable to practice.

RCVS spokesman Lizzie Lockett told H&H: “Mr Oakes is currently registered with the College, so the disciplinary committee can remove him from the register, suspend him or close the case with advice.”

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