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Complaints cause ‘considerable stress and anxiety’
Martin Peaty
Martin is a senior vet at Salisbury Racecourse and a member of the Association of Racecourse Veterinary Surgeons.
RCVS Council candidate highlights disciplinary failings

‘As our regulator, the RCVS has the potential to cause members considerable stress and anxiety when complaints are received from members of the public,’ writes RCVS Council hopeful Martin Peaty in his election manifesto.

‘It goes without saying that dishonesty and behaviour seriously detrimental to patients or clients cannot be tolerated but increasingly complaints appear to be made maliciously, to avoid payment of fees or in order to pursue agendas unrelated to a member’s fitness to practice.’

If elected to RCVS Council, Martin says that he will do ‘all he can’ to ensure that the disciplinary process is as efficient in identifying and quickly dismissing these cases as it is in pursuing the genuine ones.

Martin is a senior vet at Salisbury Racecourse and a member of the Association of Racecourse Veterinary Surgeons (ARVS). With a keen interest in farming, he runs a small sheep flock with his wife, who is also a vet.

Graduating from the University of Bristol in 1990, Martin obtained his certificate in Equine practice in 1999 and his Certificate in Equine Surgery (orthopaedics) in 2007. He became an Advanced Practitioner in Equine Practice and Equine Surgery in 2015.

If elected to Council, Martin also hopes to play a role in the development of future policy to ensure that CPD works for members. In the past, he has been involved in mentoring new graduates and helping with the Professional Development Phase. He has also been a member of the RCVS Equine Board and BVA representative on the Advanced Practioner Working Party.

‘I count myself extremely fortunate to enjoy my work as a veterinary surgeon and am proud to be a member of our profession,” he adds. ‘My purpose in standing for Council is to ensure that as many colleagues feel the same way about working as veterinary surgeons.’

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.