Candidate in call for mandatory scheme for standards of veterinary care
RCVS Council candidate Janet Ritchie has called for a mandatory version of the Practice Standards Scheme (PSS), focusing on standards of veterinary care.
She has experience working in an animal hospital and a small animal practice. For the past 14 years she has been a mentor helping eight RVNs complete their training.
Janet is also a member of the BSAVA, BVA and the British Veterinary Behaviour Association (BVBA).
Ballot papers for the elections have been sent out this week for the elections. Voting closes on April 25.
Why did you decide to stand for election?
I have been thinking about doing this for a couple years. I want to do what I can to help improve the lot of GP and specialist vets by bringing a practical approach to council and the regulation it provides. The profession now has a high proportion of women, and we are under-represented on council.
What are you hoping to achieve if you are elected to the council?
To improve the standards in the profession and help vets in practice feel supported by their governing body. I would like the RCVS to become the principal regulator for all vets across the EU so enabling employers here to understand the differences in training in some member states.
What changes would you like to see in the profession?
An improving career structure and an easy classification system for specialists.
Where do you see the college in five years?
Being held in higher esteem by the profession and seen to be communicating directly with, listening and reacting to the profession.
Being pro-active, to prevent the few individuals who do not follow the code of conduct (e.g. lack of out-of-hours cover, pop-up vet clinics) from continuing to practice.
Why should our members vote for you?
I am an experienced vet in touch with all practical aspects of the job, still being on call at night and dealing with the PSS, nurse training and professional development phase (PDP) - my daughter is a recent graduate and we had a new graduate in the practice last year. From my outside interests I am good at dealing with all sorts of different personalities on committees. If anyone would like to contact me on specific issues, I will be happy to reply. Email janet@wheelhousevet.co.uk
How can the college connect better with the veterinary profession profession?
Using specifically targeted communications to interested and engaged individuals to ask for input in different areas. General requests for feedback often fall on deaf ears, unless the issue is very important, like the recent OOH discussions.
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.
