Getting to know Richard Stephenson
Having amassed 24 years of experience in all types of practice, Richard Stephenson is currently a partner in an 18-vet practice in Staffordshire, with a history in veterinary politics and plenty of experience serving on RCVS Council.
This year's election campaign has garnered plenty of interest. MRCVS.co.uk caught up with Richard to ask him about the current issues affecting the RCVS and what he hopes to achieve should he be voted onto Council.
His responses promise some much-needed action. Outlined in brief below, they indicate a clear-sighted vision of the College and how it needs to change, and demonstrate a candidate worthy of support:
The McKelvey report identified serious deficiencies at the RCVS that are not satisfactory for a professional body. What would you change?
I believe the first change has already been made - the Audit and Risk Committee. However, I would also propose that:
- RCVS needs to welcome being questioned and challenged, and not attack those who publicly criticise its methods
- Post-McKelvey, we need to rein back the desire to have an ever more complex administration
- The work of the Audit and Risk Committee must be reviewed
- We must shrink the central committees of the Council to make them cost effective
- The appointments by council to committees need to be democratically controlled.
The RCVS has been accused of being disconnected from its members. What do you think can be done to improve this?
I myself have always engaged with members on veterinary discussion forums and through writing articles for the veterinary press, as well as by publishing my own notes from RCVS Council meetings. But I believe:
- The Council needs to adopt more modern communication tools without losing the gravitas which comes with our role of educating, regulating and registering
- 'Meet the RCVS' days and regional meetings should be augmented by RCVS Webinars with CPD certificates
- We need to communicate with the public about the high quality of veterinary care in the UK
- Effective communication with the government and MPs needs to be encouraged, and I support parliamentary dinners and functions.
How would you restore trust in the RCVS and make it more transparent in the future?
If elected, I would restore trust and increase transparency by:
- Making well-informed and CONSISTENT decisions
- Being prepared to listen to results of consultations and change policy as a result
- Keeping the retention fee fixed for the next two years (as we have lost money on two projects)
- Being open and ensuring that RCVS information remains in the public domain
- Being prepared to say SORRY when we get things wrong and be prepared to do so promptly.
After closing its VN awarding body the RCVS introduced a significant "regulatory fee" for student nurses, which has been viewed by some as grossly unfair. What is your opinion?
If we want nurses to start making decisions for themselves as a new emerging profession should, then we must accept that they may make mistakes (as I think may be happening here) but RCVS Council should be slow to interfere with VN Council policy.
In the current climate of de-regulation and reducing costs, what cuts would you advise in RCVS expenditure and activities?
I would look to:
- Make the standing RCVS committees smaller
- Encourage the new CEO to reorganise Belgravia House and create a more streamlined organisation
- Continue with my formation of a back bench committee of practitioner Council members, which offer supportive business advice to the Officer team.
For Richard's full set of answers, click here.
Richard's manifesto is available here.
Please note: We have a number of other candidate interviews to be published shortly, so you may wish to read these before voting.
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
