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Posted: 22nd January 2024

RCVS Council approves governance reform proposals
Sue Paterson described the organisation's process of annual elections as an 'old model of self-regulation'.
The proposals will contribute to a reform of council composition.

Members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council have agreed to consult on the future reform of its governance structure.

The review will contribute to changes to the RCVS’ regulatory functions, and replace the outdated Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

During the meeting, which took place Thursday 18 January, members were asked to discuss and vote on key principles and potential models which may contribute to the RCVS’ governance composition.

The discussion began with a written representation of the reform proposals, from Prof Stuart Reid for the Veterinary Schools Council (VSC). There was also a presentation from Malcolm Morley, senior vice-president of the British Veterinary Association (BVA), which described the BVA’s preliminary views.

Both the VSC and the BVA were broadly supportive of the proposals, including the move to an appointed governance model and parity between veterinary professionals and lay members.

The RCVS Council members voted by majority for the council’s compositions to be a matter for flexible secondary legislation, rather than fixed by primary legislation. They also voted in support of an independent appointment system for Council membership, and the removal of three VSC appointed council members.

The members agreed to consult with the profession and the public on two options for a balanced composition of a 24-person RCVS council. One option would see a slim majority of veterinary professional members compared to lay members, while the other would see exact parity between professional and lay members.

There was a tie on whether to separate the position of RCVS president and chair of the RCVS Council, so this issue will be revisited at a later date.

Sue Paterson, RCVS president, described the organisation’s process of annual elections as an ‘old model of self-regulation’, which is no longer used in other professions. She says that a new approach will better recognise modern principles of regulation, and help support RCVS Council’s objectives with improving animal health.

The approved recommendations will now be subject to consultation with the public and veterinary professions.

Sue Paterson said: “I would like to thank Council members for having a courageous and forward-thinking discussion on what is not an easy topic.

"Recommendations will now go through a formal consultation process later this year to get feedback both from the professions and the public.”

The full details of RCVS Council’s recommendations can be found here.

Image © RCVS



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