Top votes for Tom Witte
Image: Tom Witte
The election results are now in for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and Veterinary Nurses (VN) Councils.
This year's elections saw the highest turnout of veterinary surgeons in ten years at 4661 votes, surpassing last year's number by 429 voters. The VN Council election saw the highest ever turnout of veterinary nurses with 1,329 votes, a significant increase on the 743 votes in 2012.
Voted back onto the RCVS Council were Christopher Gray, Peter Jinman, Bradley Viner, Christopher Tufnell and Jeremy Davis. Top votes however, went to newcomer - and youngest candidate to stand for election - Thomas Witte, who received 2251 votes from veterinary surgeons.
Similarly, veterinary nurses returned Andrea Jeffrey to the VN Council, but gave the highest number of votes to Amy Robinson, who will take her seat on the council for the first time.
Commenting on the increased number of voters, RCVS registrar Gordon Hockey said: "It’s difficult to pinpoint the reasons for the increase, but hopefully, it’s because increasing numbers of vets and nurses are feeling more engaged with the College.
"We have also undertaken extra communications activities this year, such as the ‘hustings’, which we hope have helped."
The elected candidates are to take up or resume their seats on the council at RCVS Day on July 5.
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.
