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Defra consults on RCVS governance reform
RCVS Council at meeting in Edinburgh in June 2015
Defra is seeking views on changing the structure and size of the RCVS Council.

Views sought on council restructure
 
Defra has launched a consultation on changing the governance of the RCVS. Members of the veterinary profession and the general public are being asked to share their views on plans to restructure the RCVS Council.

The council currently consists of 42 members who meet three times a year, in March, June and November.

It is proposed that the number of meetings per year should be increased and the council's size reduced significantly - by a minimum of 25 per cent.

The consultation also seeks opinions on whether veterinary nurses should be represented on council; whether the number of vet school members should be reduced and whether there should be statutory positions for lay members.

As well as seeking views on the structure of council, the consultation asks how council members should be appointed or elected, whether the terms of office should change and if there should be a system in place for removing council members for poor conduct or behaviour.

In recent years, a number of issues have been raised about the college's governance arrangements. In 2008, a report by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee recommended a restructure.

The RCVS itself held a consultation with the profession the following year, but it was agreed that any reform of the council should wait until new disciplinary arrangements had 'bedded in'. In July of this year, the preliminary investigation committee and the disciplinary committee split from council.

A report by the college in 2012 found its governance to be out of step with that of other royal colleges and regulators, prompting discussions on how the RCVS could modernise its governance structure and improve efficiency.

The consultation closes on 24 December, 2015. It is expected that any changes to the RCVS Council will be implemented in late 2016/early 2017.

For full details or to respond to the consultation, visit: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/veterinary-services/rcvs_council_reform

Image (c) RCVS

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.