Getting to know Kathy Kissick
Kathy Kissick is one of three candidates standing for the two places on RCVS VN Council 2012. Compared to the fourteen candidates competing for six places on RCVS Council this year, the VN election seems to have attracted little interest. This is perhaps surprising in light of the recent calls to make the veterinary nursing profession more independent, and the causes of this disconnection between the VN department and the veterinary nursing profession remain very much open to speculation.
Kathy is currently vice-chairman and finance officer of VN Council and has been working in the veterinary nursing industry for almost two decades. After a time employed as Head Nurse in a practice in Lancashire, she soon became involved in teaching and her interests lie chiefly in the field of education.
She now works as Head of Department at Myerscough College and oversees a vast number of VN students and staff. MRCVS.co.uk talked to Kathy about various issues at the RCVS, including the controversial new "regulatory fee" for student nurses - a cause of much concern - but which is supported by Kathy.
Her answers are outlined below:
1. The McKelvey report identified serious deficiencies at the RCVS that are not satisfactory for a professional body. What would you change?
Many changes have already been promptly considered:
- An Audit and Risk Committee has been established, informal meeting notes from the Management Team and a project management protocol has been developed.
- The structure and function of College committees will be addressed, along with further improved structures and protocols to ensure that governance is managed, ensuring that the College embraces change for the benefit of animal welfare and the public.
2. The RCVS has been accused of being disconnected from its members. What do you think can be done to improve this?
The VNs elected onto Council are all members of the same profession and need to work together to help the profession move towards statutory recognition. Council strives:
- To improve the way in which it communicates with the profession by embracing modern technology, social media and alternative communication activities.
- The response from VNs to consultations and the elections is always rather poor - I would be keen to encourage VNs to suggest how they would like communications to be improved and also to vote at elections!
3. How would you restore trust in the RCVS, if elected?
I would be open, honest and transparent and encourage all VNs to attend the RCVS stand, RCVS day, VN ceremonies and RCVS roadshows so that they can meet the Council members, take a real interest in their profession and regulatory body and communicate with them over common, regional, national and International issues.
4. How can the RCVS become more transparent in the future and what part would you play in this?
Communication is vital for any Council or awarding body but this is a two way process and VN Council meetings are open to the public, who can attend as observers. I believe:
- VNs need to take an interest in the positive impact and changes that are embraced by VN Council for the benefit of animal welfare and the public.
- VN Council needs to be proactive in their communications to the profession and the public to maintain transparency and also to raise public awareness regarding the role of the highly trained qualified Veterinary Nurse .
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?
It is important that the fees the students pay to enrol with the College, as the professional regulator for qualifications leading to the VN Register, and those fees paid to the awarding body to register for a qualification, are kept separate.
- The regulatory fee is not a new fee - it splits the old fee into two parts and the total amount has increased only by inflation.
- Furthermore, the awarding body has not yet closed but is working through the Surrender of Recognition process to ensure a smooth transition.
- The regulatory enrolment fee covers quality assurance of institutions to ensure that all qualifications adequately prepare students for registration and professional practice, as this professionally-specific quality assurance is not carried out by the national regulatory bodies.
- It also covers enrolment of the individual as a bona fide student which is in the public interest and the interests of animal welfare.
- It must always be remembered that Schedule 3 to the VSA allows veterinary surgeons to delegate medical treatment and minor surgery to enrolled students, under direct supervision.
6. In the current climate of de-regulation and reducing costs, what cuts would you advise in RCVS expenditure and activities?
VN Council is always mindful that costs should be monitored and reduced where possible and wth regard to this they have appointed me, as Vice Chair on VN Council, as finance officer.This role has enabled me:
- to communicate directly with RCVS Council, in turn facilitating effective and timely communications leading to the freezing of the VS and VN fees this year and the raising of awareness amongst all the Council members regarding limiting costs wherever possible.
- to implement checks and balances on the expenditure and activities - a positive, as it enables VNs to have more control over their own budgets.
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To read Kathy's full answers, click here.
To read her manifesto, click here.
RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.
