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RCVS and VN Council election candidates announced
"We look forward to launching both elections next month and hope to see record turnouts in both elections" - Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS registrar.

Elections commence Monday, 16 March 2020

The candidates for the 2020 RCVS and VN Council elections have been announced.

This year sees the first VN Council election since 2017 and a record number of candidates, with 13 veterinary nurses competing for the two available places.

The candidates for the VN Council election are:

 • Samantha Anderson RVN
 • Jessica Beckett RVN
 • Kirsten Cavill RVN
 • Rebecca Clark RVN
 • Dorothy Creighton RVN
 • Lindsey Anne Dodd RVN
 • Emma Foreman RVN
 • Racheal Marshall RVN (incumbent)
 • Megan Oakey RVN
 • Susannah Phillips RVN
 • Matthew Rendle RVN (incumbent)
 • Claire Roberts RVN
 • Cathy Woodlands RVN.


Eight veterinary surgeons have put themselves forward to compete for the three available places. They are:

 • John Davies MRCVS
 • Dr Melissa Donald MRCVS (incumbent)
 • Dr Tom Lonsdale MRCVS
 • Professor Stephen May FRCVS (incumbent)
 • Dr Kate Richards MRCVS
 • Peter Robinson MRCVS
 • Dr Richard Stephenson MRCVS
 • Dr Christopher (Kit) Sturgess FRCVS (incumbent).

RCVS registrar Eleanor Ferguson said: “After two years without an election for VN Council it is fantastic to see that a record number of veterinary nurses have put themselves forward as candidates. It demonstrates that there is a desire amongst the profession to engage with VN Council and the important issues it decides on around veterinary nursing education, continuing professional development and registration. It is also the first year that the number of veterinary nurse candidates has outnumbered the number of vets standing for RCVS Council.
 
“We look forward to launching both elections next month and hope to see record turnouts in both elections. In the meantime please make sure to engage with the process and scrutinise the candidates and their views by submitting a question about an issue of interest to you.”

Both elections will commence in the week beginning Monday, 16 March when candidates’ details, manifestos and ballot papers will be sent via post or email to members of both professions who are eligible to vote.

Biographies for each of the candidates, along with their election statements, can be found on the RCVS website. The statements for RCVS Council candidates can be found here and those for VN Council candidates here.

The elections close at 5 pm on Friday, 24 April 2020.

The RCVS is also inviting members of the profession to ‘quiz the candidates’ by submitting a question. The questions will be put directly to the candidates, who will then pick two to discuss from all those received.

Recordings of the candidates’ answers will be published on the RCVS website and YouTube channel. Vets should email their question (one per person) to vetvote20@rcvs.org.uk or send it to the college via the College’s Twitter account @theRCVS using the hashtag #vetvote20 by midday on Friday 28 February 2020.

Veterinary nurses should email their question to vnvote20@rcvs.org.uk or tweet to the College’s Twitter account using the hashtag #vnvote20.

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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.