The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is consulting on a proposal to allow Members to use the courtesy title "Doctor"; in the field of human medicine medical graduates are allowed to use the courtesy title doctor although most don't have a Phd' and dentists are permitted to call themselves doctor provided that they are not misleading anybody into thinking that they have a medical degree. The College has pointed out that in the field of human medicine there are legal consequences for misusing the title of ‘Doctor’. Section 49(1) of the Medical Act 1983, which is headed ‘Penalty for pretending to be registered’, provides: ‘Any person who wilfully and falsely pretends to be or uses the name or title of physician, doctor of medicine, licentiate in medicine and surgery, bachelor of medicine, surgeon, general practitioner or apothecary, or any name, title, addition or description implying that he is registered under any provision of this Act, or that he is recognised by law as a physician or surgeon or licentiate in medicine and surgery or a practitioner in medicine or an apothecary, shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale [emphasis added].’
The last time I popped in to see the apothecary I cannot recall considering whether I should or should not call him doctor. I was just asked 'do you want to speak to the pharmacist' in the same way as in a UK vet practice you might be asked 'do you want to see the vet'.

Apparently in Australia chiropractors, osteopaths and podiatrists amongst others can all call themselves doctor, a trend that the College foresees happening here. I doubt that is as important as the College continuing to protect the title 'vet' or perhaps considering the average level of remuneration of UK vets and whether it should be easing some of the burdens faced by practising vets.

I can't really see much harm in it and any of us who have been in practice will have found themselves being called doctor anyway; at the same time I also can't see it making any real difference to the public who commonly understand the terms 'vet' as an 'animal doctor' and 'doctor' as a human doctor. Of course if you practice as a vet in Germany you're not called a vet at all but a tierarzt [pet doctor]. However, at least the proposed change would stop practising vets feeling under a moral obligation to correct their clients. The deadline for responses for those who wish to respond to the consultation is 15th February and the link is here.