RCVS Elections – Results are in!
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has announced the results of elections to its RCVS and Veterinary Nurses Councils. Chris Barker, Amanda Boag, Catherine Goldie, Barry Johnson, Stephen May and Richard Stephenson were elected to the RCVS Council, while Kathy Kissick and Elizabeth Figg were elected to the VN Council. A record of how many votes were received by each candidate may be found here.
Turnout was described as 'disappointing', with only 15.1% (3,625) veterinary surgeons and 7.5% (743) VNs voting. Last year's elections saw turnout of 15.9% (3,887) and 7.6% (723) respectively, indicating a slight decline to an already low response. Online voting increased from 25% to 30.6%, while voting by text also increased from 12.9% to 20%.
Of the RCVS Council members, the aforementioned six were part of a group of fourteen potential candidates. Similarly, the VN Council members mentioned above only had one other competitor. The Council Members will either assume office as of the expiry of their predecessors' terms of office or return for another term of office if they were re-elected, and this will take place at the RCVS Annual General Meeting on 6th July 2012.
The RCVS Council constitutes 42 members, of which four are appointed directly by the Privy Council, 14 by the major veterinary schools, and the remaining 24 by election for a term of four years.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
