Pathologists need representation on council, says candidate
Dr Whitbread said diagnostic pathologists have become an integral part of the modern veterinary practice’s diagnostic team.
Veterinary pathologist Dr Trevor Whitbread is hoping to be elected to the RCVS Council this year, in order to represent the ‘substantial minority’ of RCVS members who are not in practice and currently have limited representation.
‘The vast majority of members of the RCVS are in veterinary practice and the activities of the Royal College are rightly very much directed towards veterinary practice,’ he wrote in his candidate manifesto.
‘However, there is a substantial minority of members who are not in clinical practice and this includes diagnostic pathologists as well as toxicology pathologists, the state veterinary service and members working in the regulatory fields. These areas, especially diagnostic pathology, are very important for clinicians in practice but have little or no direct representation on council.’
Dr Whitbread said diagnostic pathologists have become an integral part of the modern veterinary practice’s diagnostic team.
‘In order to maintain and develop this input into your day-to-day clinical practice it is essential that we have some direct representation on council, particularly in this time of major changes which the council will have to deal with in the near future,’ he explained. ‘These will include changes associated with Brexit, especially employment issues, changes to RCVS governance and the changes to CPD.’
A 1977 graduate of the University of Liverpool, Dr Whitbread spent a period of time working at a large mixed practice in Leicester before returning to Liverpool as a lecturer in veterinary pathology. He went on to Bloxham Laboratories (which would later become Axiom Laboratories) to set up a diagnostic histopathology unit. In 1985 he started Abbey Veterinary Services, which recently joined the Nationwide Group of laboratories.
With a specialist interest in dermatopathology, he was a board member and treasurer of both the European Society of Veterinary Dermatology and British Veterinary Dermatology Study Group. He is also a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Pathologists and has contributed to the governing of that college.
As a diagnostic pathologist, Dr Whitbread says he has a close association with clinical practice and as such is fully aware of the issues of concern. ‘I am also readily available should you wish to discuss any issue relevant to RCVS,’ he added.
Ballot papers will be posted to all veterinary surgeons and nurses that are eligible to vote in the week commencing 13 March. All votes must be cast by 5pm of 28 April 2017.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
