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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 15th November 2013
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Strategic plan will inform RCVS' future direction
Nick Stace, RCVS' CEO.
"First-rate regulator" is aim of three-year plan for royal college

RCVS council has approved a strategic plan for the regulatory body, that will enable it to meet its aim of "enhancing society through improved animal health and welfare".

The college's strategic plan was based on input from a number of sources, such as feedback from the profession and public about what the college did or didn't do well, and analysis of how regulators of other professions operate.

The aim for the college is to become a "first-rate regulator" as the plan is rolled out over the next three years.

Actions that the college will take are grouped under five headings, all based around setting, upholding and advancing veterinary standards. One such example is the introduction of a service charter for the public and the profession in terms of rights, expectations and responsibilities in each of its functions.

Striving for excellent service was at the heart of the RCVS' drive for improvement, explained CEO Nick Stace.

“The concept of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, as well as the public, being our ‘customers’, was one that unsettled the profession when it was first mooted. But I believe only by ensuring we focus relentlessly on improving how we interact with our customers will we deliver a service for the profession, the public, and, ultimately, the UK’s animals, which is worthy of the name first-rate regulator,” he said.

Among the plan's aims, better communication, transparency and furthering knowledge are key. The plan also pledges to:

    ⁃    Reduce the time it takes for a complaint to be concluded in a fair and transparent manner
·         Improve the advice line for the public and the profession
·         Establish statutory powers to conduct language testing for those from the EU for whom English is not their first language
·         Cost and design a trial for a new consumer dispute resolution service
·         Develop communications with the profession and the public in plain English

The full strategic plan may be downloaded from www.rcvs.org.uk/strategy

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.