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RCVS opens consultation on council changes
“Governance may not be the most exciting topic, but it is the foundation on which all other aspects of the college’s work rests” – Sue Paterson.
Proposals would see the end of council elections.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has opened a consultation on its new ‘good governance’ proposals.

The proposals would see significant changes to the way that RCVS Council and Veterinary Nurses (VN) Council function, including an end to council elections.

According to the college, the recommended changes would better align the governing bodies with regulatory norms, and need to be made if there is to be legislative reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (VSA).

The college is proposing six changes:
  • An independent appointment system to replace council elections
  • Greater lay representation on the councils so that the RCVS is not seen to be ‘setting and marking its own homework’ as regulator
  • Allowing veterinary paraprofessionals, such as veterinary technicians and clinical animal behaviourists, to becomes council members
  • Separating the role of chair of RCVS Council from the role of president
  • Removing Veterinary Schools Council appointees
  • Reducing the size of VN Council from 14 to 12 members.

The RCVS will be hosting an interactive webinar between 7pm-8pm on Tuesday, 11 June 2024 to introduce the consultation and answer any questions. A recording of the webinar will be made available.

Sue Paterson, RCVS president, said: “The current governance structure of the RCVS is set by the VSA and updating our governance systems is a vital prerequisite to getting new primary legislation, as the outdated and out-of-step nature of our current arrangements will be clear to see.

“Governance may not be the most exciting topic, but it is the foundation on which all other aspects of the college’s work rests. As a professional regulator with animal health and welfare at our heart, the RCVS has a duty to ensure that our arrangements best serve the public on whose behalf we are entrusted to regulate and uphold veterinary standards, while still maintaining veterinary input in all our decision-making processes.

“We believe these good governance proposals help us meet this mission, ensuring that we are bringing our governance in line with regulatory norms, while still recognising our unique role as a dual regulator and royal college.”

The full proposals, with a link to the consultation, can be found on the RCVS website. The deadline for responding to the consultation is 22 July 2024.

Image © RCVS

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."