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Peter Jinman challenges RCVS chief on spending
money
Mr Stace said protocols had been followed as the funding is an in-year commitment.
£1m funding announced for Mind Matters without council input

Speaking at yesterday's RCVS Council meeting, Peter Jinman challenged CEO Nick Stace on the college's decision to announce £1 million spending on addressing mental health issues in the profession, without consulting the council.

Last month, it was revealed that over a five-year period the college will allocate £500,000 to the Veterinary Surgeons' Health Support Programme, which is a confidential service aiming to help tackle problems including drug and alcohol addictions, eating disorders and other addictive or mental health issues.

Meanwhile, the RCVS operational board has agreed funding of around £100,000 a year, over a total of five years, as part of the Mind Matters initiative, which launched late last year.

Council member Mr Jinman welcomed the commitment to tackling mental health issues, which are a major concern for the veterinary profession.

However, he questioned that such a substantial amount of funding could be agreed and announced to the press without council approval, asking the question: "At what point should discussions on expenditure come to council?"

Responding to the comments, Mr Stace said protocols had been followed as the funding is an in-year commitment rather than a single sum and each year's funding levels will go to council.

Mr Jinman however pointed out that the council cannot go back on the funding commitment now that it has been publicly announced.

He suggested a standing order system, where spending below a certain amount could be approved by the operational board, whereas spending above this level would be approved by the council.

In addition, Mr Jinman stressed that the college must ensure it serves the profession well and does not become part of the problem with regard to mental health.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."