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RCVS to form public advisory group
RCVS Council agreed to set up new Public Advisory Group at September meeting.

Group will help the College develop policy and improve communications.

The RCVS has announced the formation of a new advisory group to help the College better understand the issues currently affecting the public.

During its September meeting, RCVS Council voted to approve the terms of the new Public Advisory Group (PAG), which will also help the college develop policy and to test messaging and communications to ensure they are understandable. 

The PAG will be chaired by a member of RCVS Council and will have a minimum pool of 30 members, comprising a mix of companion animal, equine and production animal owners and keepers. Council members also approved a draft invitation for application for animal owners/keepers who would like to join the PAG. 

The meeting took place at the University of Glasgow’s School of Veterinary Medicine on Thursday, 8 September. Opening proceedings, RCVS president Melissa Donald welcomed elected members Olivia Cook MRCVS and Dr Abbie Calow MRCVS to their first full Council meeting.

Council also agreed on amendments to the policy governing the handling of complaints about Council, and committee members discussed a potential new policy around the RCVS bringing forward private prosecutions for breaches of the Veterinary Surgeons Act (VSA).

On the VSA, Council discussed potential advantages, disadvantages and costs of private prosecutions, and voted for a further paper setting out a draft policy on private prosecutions.

The full agenda and papers for the Council meeting can be found at rcvs.org.uk

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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.