Tom Lonsdale
Unless and until there's a complete overhaul of the vet establishment the 'old boys' club will continue on its incompetent and muddle-headed way. Previously I've referred to the Rotten Callous Venal Sham that masquerades as a regulatory body.
2. The RCVS has been accused of being disconnected from its members. What do you think can be done to improve this?
Hold a full parliamentary enquiry leading to a new Veterinary Surgeons' Act.
A newly established regulatory body should be transparent and of the utmost integrity. But it should not be seen as a voice of the profession, nor have a special relationship with its 'members'.
3. How would you restore trust in the RCVS, if elected?
Trust in the RCVS, as it now stands, can never be achieved. The modern day vet profession, with about 75% income derived from small animal practice, is in lockstep with the junk pet food industry. The vet schools, the vet associations and established vet practices falsely legitimise the mass poisoning of domestic pets and then the charade of providing veterinary care -- but without ever fixing the diseased mouths and poisonous diets the animals are forced to endure.
The RCVS Council is made up of 12 representatives from the universities, whose strings are pulled by the junk pet food companies and pharmaceutical companies.
Of the 24 councillors elected in the sham elections, mostly they are drawn from the associations and establishment practices
In the 15 years I've been standing for election, not one of the other candidates has undertaken to confront the junk pet food monster in the living room. If they won't acknowledge and deal with the biggest issue to face the vet profession this century, then we can hardly expect them to maintain integrity and competence in any other area!
4. How can the RCVS become more transparent in the future and what part would you play in this?
I believe that by standing for election and gaining approximately 10% of the vote each year for 15 years I've contributed significantly in the call for greater transparency, integrity and accountability of the veterinary establishment.
Each year about 10% of voters endorse my calls to end the junk pet food fraud. However the upper echelons of this so-called self regulatory profession refuse to listen. Eventually we can expect the Parliament and DEFRA will listen and will take action. Although I hope I don't have to stand in 16 more elections before that hope finally becomes reality.
5. After closing its VN awarding body the RCVS introduced a significant "regulatory fee" for student nurses, which has been viewed by some as grossly unfair. What is your opinion?
Don't know sufficient detail to comment.
6. In the current climate of de-regulation and reducing costs, what cuts would you advise in RCVS expenditure and activities?
Tinkering and cost cutting will not save the RCVS. If convening a Parliamentary enquiry and new Veterinary Surgeons Act will take too long, then I suggest an administrator be appointed to oversee and clean up the RCVS pending the necessary major reforms.
I believe that as a profession we've got little to lose and much to gain by a complete unrestricted review of the profession in all its aspects. We must regain sight of the fact we are here to serve animals, animal owners and the wider community.
This year, as in all past years, my candidacy is about improving veterinary science and education and complete reform of our profession. Every vote helps reinforce the message. However fixing the problems of our profession is not a once a year activity. We need to be constant and committed in our endeavours.
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MRCVS.co.uk would like to thank Tom for providing this information and we wish him every success in the upcoming election.
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
