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RCVS and VN Councils elections results revealed
The successful candidates will take up their seats at the RCVS AGM in July.
Both elections saw falling turnouts this year.

The results of the 2022 RCVS and VN Councils elections have been revealed.

This year, Dr Susan Paterson MRCVS, Olivia Cook MRCVS, and Dr Abbie Calow MRCVS have been elected to the three available places on RCVS Council, with Holly Witchell RVN and Jessica Louise Beckett RVN taking up their seats on VN Council.

Both elections saw falling turnouts this year, despite the elections being conducted entirely online. 

A total of 6,583 veterinary surgeons cast their votes in the RCVS elections, representing 18.6 per cent of those eligible to vote. This compares to turnouts of 24.5 per cent in 2021 and 26.2 per cent in 2020.

For the VN elections, the total turnout was 1,740 veterinary nurses, representing just 8.4 per cent of those eligible to vote. This compares to turnouts of 12.4 per cent in 2021, 17.1 per cent in 2020.

Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS registrar and returning officer for both elections, commented: “We’re not exactly sure why both elections saw falling turnouts this year, but we do appreciate how extremely busy the professions are at the moment, and that everyone’s time is at a premium. 

“As part of our ‘Council culture’ project we are looking at ways of improving all aspects of communicating the work around RCVS Council, VN Council and their committees, including around standing for and voting in elections.”

The successful candidates will take up their seats at this this year’s RCVS Annual General Meeting on Friday, 8 July 2022.

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BSAVA partners with BVA Live 2026

News Story 1
 BSAVA is to partner with BVA Live (11-12 June 2026) to champion clinical research.

The organisation will be supporting BVA Live's Clinical Abstracts programme, showcasing selected abstracts of veterinary research throughout the event.

The clinical abstracts can be on any small animal veterinary subject, and must be based on research undertaken in industry, practice or academia. Abstracts can be presented in poster or oral formats.

Submissions will open on 15th December 2025, and close on 6th March 2026. You can register interest here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Nominations open for RCVS and VN Council elections

The nomination period for the 2026 RCVS Council and VN Council elections is now open, with three veterinary surgeon seats and two veterinary nurse seats available.

Prospective candidates can download an information pack and nomination form from the RCVS website. Individuals can nominate themselves for the elections, with the results to be announced in the spring.

Clare Paget, the recently appointed RCVS Registrar and elections returning officer, said: "If you want to play your part in influencing and moulding how the professions are regulated, and making key decisions on matters of great importance to your peers, the public and animal health and welfare, please consider standing for RCVS Council or VN Council next year."

Nominations close at 5pm on Saturday, 31 January 2026.