Getting to know Chris Barker
Chris Barker has worked across many aspects of practice since qualifying twenty-two years ago. Now running an award-winning veterinary practice with his wife, Chris has also served on SPVS Council and he was the only independent practitioner to give oral evidence to the 2005 EFRACom enquiry.
MRCVS.co.uk asked Chris his opinion on the current issues at the RCVS and what he hopes to achieve through Council. His answers, outlined in brief below, demonstrate a forthright practicality and determination for reform, from which both the RCVS and the practising vet would undoubtedly benefit.
1. The McKelvey report identified serious deficiencies at the RCVS that are not satisfactory for a professional body. What would you change?
Post-McKelvey, plans are already in place to:
- reduce the Executive role of the Registrar
- appoint a CEO with business experience into a clearly deined role
- establish an Audit and Risk Committee
- bring in additional external expertise when required for certain future major projects
Beyond this, Council Members need to recognise they have an individual and collective responsibility to ensure all monies received from MRCVSs are used responsibly with minimal waste.
2. The RCVS has been accused of being disconnected from its members. What do you think can be done to improve this?
There is no clear route in which the concerns of MRCVSs can be brought to the attention of Council and as open 'consultations' are held only after major decisions are made, it is hard to understand how we are meant to function as a truly self-regulating profession.
A sea change in attitude at the RCVS is required, only feasible if sufficient numbers of the 'old guard' are displaced through the electoral process. The block vote of the University appointees is also a major problem for reform.
3. How would you restore trust in the RCVS, if elected?
I believe the RCVS should:
- be more open to comments from practising vets
- make the decision-making process more accessible
- make papers presented to RCVS Council for decisions available earlier, allowing external scrutiny and, if necessary, effective lobbying from beyond the walls of Belgravia House
- justify all proposed changes to our system of regulation with proper evidence and thorough explanation.
4. How can the RCVS become more transparent in the future and what part would you play in this?
Restructuring the Committee structure of the RCVS is already under discussion. In addition:
- The PP+2 proposals would significantly reduce Committee size
- Re-organisation, along with Legislative Reform Order, will return many Councillors from PIC and DC, who will needed to be adequately informed of discussions and decisions
- A new detailed reporting system should be developed
- This must be made more available for consultation by MRCVSs.
5. 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?
The RCVS will need to ensure an adequate income to support its remaining activity with regard to VNs, who should lobby the RCVS directly when unhappy. The RCVS could either:
- levy a 'regulatory fee' to ensure an income for its VN department, or
- reduce RCVS staff levels proportionately.
6. In the current climate of de-regulation and reducing costs, what cuts would you advise in RCVS expenditure and activities?
Significant short-term cost cutting will be hard, especially with the costs of the new A&R Committee and changes to the IT system and Code of Professional Conduct.
Post LRO there will be a large number of 'underused' Councillors without a post on a Committee, but these numbers cannot be changed without writing a new Veterinary Surgeons Act.
Universities should 'retire' one or two Council Members to reduce costs significantly, but whether they will allow a reduction to their' block vote' remains to be seen.
For Chris's full set of answers, click here.
For Chris's manifesto, visit the RCVS website.
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Please note: We have a number of other candidate interviews to be published shortly, so you may wish to read these before voting.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
