"We need to overcome the cynicism and fears that many have"
If re-elected, Neil Smith hopes to push for the college to address mental health issues in the profession.
President of the RCVS Neil Smith who is among 19 candidates standing for council election, has said "fear of the disciplinary process and poor support from their employers" are the key issues he repeatedly hears raised.
If re-elected, he has vowed to try to address both. He said the RCVS receives 750 complaints a year but less than a dozen go to disciplinary committee. In his manifesto Neil suggests that the RCVS should start publishing anonymised summaries of complaints.
"This would help to put the independent disciplinary committee rulings in perspective and reduce the unfounded fears of the conscientious and dedicated majority," he said.
He also hopes to push for the RCVS to address the issues surrounding mental health in the profession.
"We need to reduce the stigma, and ensure there is timely access to support. It is in the interests of the individuals affected, their practices, their patients and the public to address these problems," Neil said.
Having graduated in 1989, Neil joined the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and has gone on to work in small animal, equine and meat inspection. He is also a member of the BVA.
Why did you decide to stand for re-election?
I think it would be strange if the current president didn't stand for re-election. But seriously, I believe council needs to have elected and appointed members from a diverse background who want to protect animal welfare, the public and advance the profession.
Despite the challenges I enjoy it, and I enjoy working with other council and committee members, as well as RCVS staff, who are really committed to profession. I would like to see the role of veterinary surgeons and nurses strengthened and animal welfare better protected, and feel I can best do this by being an active member of RCVS Council.
What are you hoping to achieve if you are re-elected to the council?
The college has already made some big changes. The Legislative Reform Order reinforces the independence of the disciplinary process; disciplinary committee decisions are not RCVS decisions. But I would like to see a number of areas given more attention.
I believe the Code of Professional Conduct, and its supporting guidance, could be re-formatted so it gives as clear guidance as is practical. It has evolved over many years as different issues have arisen and been addressed. I would like the process of revising the Code and guidance to be more agile, with practitioners having access to more advice and more information.
We are professionals and must make professional decisions and be able to justify them, but two things would help. With disciplinary committee cases we all see the headlines and can read the findings, but these cases represent less than two per cent of complaints the Professional Conduct Department receives. I would like to see anonymised details of complaints so all can learn from others' mistakes and challenges. In addition, there needs to be a way for advice to be given that is more than just referring vets to the Code, and to be available not just in office hours. I also believe the college, as well as practices, has a role in educating the public about their responsibilities under the Animal Welfare Act.
I would like the RCVS to take a more active role in addressing mental health issues in the profession. I believe very few vets have not experienced mental health issues with colleagues or themselves, and we need to address the causes and find ways of reducing the incidence and impact.
There are also the issues surrounding the number of new registrants, 45 per cent from overseas, reducing salary levels and increasing student debt. This is a much more complex issue than the number of UK schools and their size and I hope this year's Manpower Survey will help to cast some more light on what the situation is.
What changes would you like to see in the profession?
I would like to see greater diversity within the profession, and I am not referring to gender but to socio-economic groups. I used to talk to sixth-formers at an RVC hosted summer school for children from under-represented backgrounds. That was 10 to 15 years ago, yet I get the impression nothing has really changed. Unfortunately, able young people are being dissuaded from applying to vet school either because of the perceived cost, or because they are not receiving the encouragement they need.
We must protect the title "veterinary nurse" and we need to increase what RVNs are allowed to do.
It is in everyone's interests to maintain the viability of quality, but affordable, veterinary care; this is not only vital to the profession, but also for animal welfare.
We need to broaden our collective view of what a veterinary surgeon can do, and the breadth of career opportunities available. Vets are highly intelligent and well educated scientists, as well as being practical people with good communication skills, and can succeed in a huge range of roles.
And I'd like to see more vets and RVNs vote in their council elections. We can only claim to be self-regulating if there is adequate participation.
Where do you see the college in five years?
I would like to see a better understanding by the profession of the roles of the college, an obviously independent disciplinary process, and more veterinary surgeons and nurses engaged in setting and advancing standards. I hope the Evidenced-Based Veterinary Medicine initiative will be firmly established, with the RCVS playing a pivotal role.
Why should our members vote for you?
I believe in the need for a strong veterinary profession and the protection of animal welfare. I have the commitment and experience to make a valuable contribution. These last two years I have met hundreds of recent graduates at the seminars arranged by Veterinary Defence Society (VDS). They are conscientious, enthusiastic and dedicated and I want to ensure that there is a healthy profession for this generation and the next.
How can the college connect better with the veterinary profession?
We need to overcome the cynicism and fears that many have. I believe that they are unfounded, but would hope that providing actionable advice and more usable information veterinary surgeons will view the college more positively. The current 24/7 debate is an example where all have been encouraged to contribute their views, and I would like to see more such initiatives. I think this year, with 19 candidates and some challenging issues, there is a real opportunity for lively debate and engagement within the profession.
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