Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

RCVS Council Election 2019 results announced
Niall Connell (left), Jo Dyer (Bottom) and Linda Belton (top right) will be welcomed to Council at Royal College Day.

Record turnout saw more than 8,000 votes being cast

The results of the 2019 RCVS Council election have been announced.

Returning to the three available elected places are Niall Connell and Jo Dyer, with 3,766 votes and 3,146 votes respectively. They will be joined by Linda Belton, who received a total of 3,581 votes.

This year saw a record turnout with more than a quarter of the electorate voting. A sum of 8,234 votes were cast, 2,207 of which were by post and 6,027 of which were online.

The results of the election will be formally declared at this year’s Royal College Day – the College’s Annual General Meeting and awards ceremony - on Friday, 12 July.

Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS Registrar and Returning Officer for the election said: “Congratulations to Niall and Jo for being re-elected to Council and congratulations also to Linda who we look forward to welcoming to Council at this year’s Royal College Day on Friday 12 July.

“I would also like to thank Kate, Tim and Peter for their contributions during their time on Council and give my commiserations to them and the other candidates who were unsuccessful this year.
 
She continued: “I was delighted to see that, this year, we had over a quarter of those eligible to vote doing so which means both a record number of votes and a record turnout –it seems this was assisted by our email reminders which, each time they were sent out, lead to a significant boost in uptake.
 
“However, we will not rest on our laurels and will continue to think about how we can further improve engagement in the election process and turnout for subsequent years.”

In order of the number of votes, the results are:
   
    •    Niall Connell – 3,766 votes (re-elected)
    •    Linda Belton – 3,581 votes (elected)
    •    Jo Dyer – 3,146 votes (re-elected)
    •    John Innes – 2,716 votes
    •    Kate Richards – 2,283 votes
    •    Tim Greet – 2,280 votes
    •    Peter Robinson – 1,791 votes
    •    John Davies – 507 votes
    •    Tom Lonsdale – 422 votes

There was no election to Veterinary Nursing Council this year owing to the fact there were only two candidates – Liz Cox and Jane Davidson – standing for the two elected places. Liz and Jane will also take up their three-year terms at Royal College Day.

Image (C) RCVS

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.