RCVS Council agreed to set up new Public Advisory Group at September meeting.

Group will help the College develop policy and improve communications.

The RCVS has announced the formation of a new advisory group to help the College better understand the issues currently affecting the public.

During its September meeting, RCVS Council voted to approve the terms of the new Public Advisory Group (PAG), which will also help the college develop policy and to test messaging and communications to ensure they are understandable. 

The PAG will be chaired by a member of RCVS Council and will have a minimum pool of 30 members, comprising a mix of companion animal, equine and production animal owners and keepers. Council members also approved a draft invitation for application for animal owners/keepers who would like to join the PAG. 

The meeting took place at the University of Glasgow’s School of Veterinary Medicine on Thursday, 8 September. Opening proceedings, RCVS president Melissa Donald welcomed elected members Olivia Cook MRCVS and Dr Abbie Calow MRCVS to their first full Council meeting.

Council also agreed on amendments to the policy governing the handling of complaints about Council, and committee members discussed a potential new policy around the RCVS bringing forward private prosecutions for breaches of the Veterinary Surgeons Act (VSA).

On the VSA, Council discussed potential advantages, disadvantages and costs of private prosecutions, and voted for a further paper setting out a draft policy on private prosecutions.

The full agenda and papers for the Council meeting can be found at rcvs.org.uk