Amongst the proposals agreed by Council was to move towards an independent appointment system for Council membership to replace the current election system.
In addition, Council voted:
Council was tied on whether to separate the position of RCVS President and the Chair of RCVS Council, meaning that this will come back for decision at a later date following the consultation.
RCVS President susan paterson, said: “The unique way that RCVS Council is currently constituted with annual elections to Council is an old model of self-regulation which is no longer found in other professions including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, solicitors and social workers, among others.
“As a responsible regulator we have a duty to operate in a way that recognises modern principles of regulation, and best meets our objectives to enhance society through improved animal health and welfare by setting, upholding and advancing the educational, ethical and clinical standards for the veterinary professions.
"The College’s recommendations would see us retain self-regulation in the sense of independence from government, and maintain registrants within our governance framework, while better assuring the public that we are acting on their behalf.
“It is our firm belief that, among other things, moving to an all-appointed Council member system, whereby those who serve on Council are selected via an independent process based on their knowledge and experience to ensure input from all parts of the veterinary sector, will better serve our aims, as will having a better balance of professional and lay members.
"Of course, veterinary expertise, knowledge and experience will also remain a vital part of any future arrangements throughout our committee structure, so the veterinary voice will be as important as ever in our policy and decision-making processes.
rcvs.org.uk/who-we-are/rcvs-council/council-meetings/18-january-2024/
Further details about the consultation process will be published in due course.
Discuss here: https://www.vetsurgeon.org/f/non-clinical-questions/30878/what-do-you-think-about-the-rcvs-proposals-to-stop-council-elections-and-move-to-appointed-members-with-equal-or-almost-equal-number-of-lay-members/243481
PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vets.
When I saw the headline I thought it must be a joke, or an editorial trick to grab attention for something more trivial.
this is outrageous
When a governing body voted to abolish elections, isn’t that communism?
No democracy without elections.Since when does a lay person know better than a professional and I don't suppose the lay people will be elected representatives either.
Rather than asking “Why are so many Vets so disenfranchised and unengaged that they don’t vote” they simply decide to cancel voting do they can appoint their own council members and line toeing folks.
Unbelievable! No wonder so many vets are disillusioned. Having so many lay people is a recipe for disaster. Many do not understand the why's and where's of veterinary medicine and we have seen in the past outrageous decisions from them. Too entrenched in the welfare of animals to a ridiculous extent at the expense of veterinarians. Witness how the after-hours process a number of years ago was changed after the outcry from vets after a vet was suspended for unreasonable and ignorant reasons. Many lay people have no idea of the stresses on vets and expect an unreasonable standard. We see that in daily practice. Reeks of wokeness.
This is interesting, I was not aware such a bad thing for animal welfare had been achieved before but I do note now that it becoming harder and harder to provide a suitable service for everyone and all my previous career I never before had such trouble referring cases as in the last 3 years as referral centres are full or not 'suitably' staffed to cover all eventualities; even in the last recession treatments were generally more affordable.