RCVS and VN Councils elections results revealed
The successful candidates will take up their seats at the RCVS AGM in July.
The results of the 2022 RCVS and VN Councils elections have been revealed.
This year, Dr Susan Paterson MRCVS, Olivia Cook MRCVS, and Dr Abbie Calow MRCVS have been elected to the three available places on RCVS Council, with Holly Witchell RVN and Jessica Louise Beckett RVN taking up their seats on VN Council.
Both elections saw falling turnouts this year, despite the elections being conducted entirely online.
A total of 6,583 veterinary surgeons cast their votes in the RCVS elections, representing 18.6 per cent of those eligible to vote. This compares to turnouts of 24.5 per cent in 2021 and 26.2 per cent in 2020.
For the VN elections, the total turnout was 1,740 veterinary nurses, representing just 8.4 per cent of those eligible to vote. This compares to turnouts of 12.4 per cent in 2021, 17.1 per cent in 2020.
Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS registrar and returning officer for both elections, commented: “We’re not exactly sure why both elections saw falling turnouts this year, but we do appreciate how extremely busy the professions are at the moment, and that everyone’s time is at a premium.
“As part of our ‘Council culture’ project we are looking at ways of improving all aspects of communicating the work around RCVS Council, VN Council and their committees, including around standing for and voting in elections.”
The successful candidates will take up their seats at this this year’s RCVS Annual General Meeting on Friday, 8 July 2022.
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. 
