Candidate hopes to see greater confidence in the college
If elected, David Leicester will take his seat on the RCVS Council in July.
Since graduating from the RVC in 1997, David Leicester has worked in small animal practice and is currently district vet for Vets Now in Alfreton.
During his career, Mr Leicester has gained a wealth of experience in all areas of practice including PDSA charitable work and first-opinion work in cardiology, spinal and orthopaedic referral practices.
As a result, he believes he is uniquely placed to represent the profession on the RCVS Council. He hopes to see members of the profession gain confidence in a college that will regulate them with greater “transparency and consistency”.
In this year's elections, 19 candidates are competing for six seats on the RCVS Council. Votes must be cast by 5pm on April 25. If elected, Mr Leicester will take his seat on the RCVS Council this July.
1. Why did you decide to stand for election?
I’ve become increasingly interested in the work of the college in recent years, and I don’t believe that my colleagues and I have always been well represented. I believe that with my experience in both general and emergency practice and in the training and development of vets I have a deep understanding of the challenges facing the profession, the college and vets of the future.
2. What are you hoping to achieve if you are elected to the council?
I have witnessed the groundswell of opinion on the joint issues of 24/7 care and the provision of domiciliary visits, and have direct experience of the profound effect that uncertainty over the college’s position on these matters has on its members. I hope to be able to offer a representative voice to the debate. In addition, I hope to see the college continue to promote and support the development of evidence based veterinary medicine.
3. What changes would you like to see in the profession?
I would like to see greater transparency in the standard of clinical care provided by practices, including a mandatory minimum standard through enforced enrolment in the Practice Standards Scheme. I would like to see the development of evidence based best practice guidelines and stricter regulation of alternative therapies.
4. Where do you see the college in five years?
I would like to see our members gain confidence that the college is truly representative of their professional concerns. I hope to be governed by an organisation that responds to, and regulates its members fairly, with a greater degree of transparency and consistency.
5. Why should our members vote for you?
I believe I am uniquely placed to represent a broad cross section of our profession. My professional role brings me into contact with small business, large corporate, academics, specialists, general practitioners, locums, new graduates, venture partners and industry. I believe I can offer a representative voice to the council.
6. How can the college connect better with the veterinary profession?
Communication requires two interested parties and the greatest challenge facing the college is that it is viewed as an aloof disciplinary body by a majority of its members. If it hopes to connect better with the profession the college needs to address this issue as a priority.
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. 
