Strategic plan will inform RCVS' future direction
Nick Stace, RCVS' CEO.
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
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
