RCVS rolls out Question Time programme
"Rest assured – if you want to be heard, we will find a way to listen” - Dr Melissa Donald, RCVS president.
Veterinary professionals will be given the opportunity to question the RCVS about its current and upcoming projects in a new series of virtual and in-person Question Time events.
Through the initiative, members of the professions will be able to learn about the various College initiatives and put questions to the RCVS officer team, council members and senior staff in a friendly, informal atmosphere.
The first event takes place in Glasgow on Wednesday, 7 September, and will be attended by RCVS president Melissa Donald, RCVS treasurer Niall Connell, RCVS senior vice-president Kate Richards, junior vice-president Sue Paterson, VN Council chair Matthew Rendle, RCVS registrar Eleanor Ferguson and RCVS CEO Lizzie Lockett.
Starting with drinks and supper at 6.30, the programme will begin at 7.30 with an update on RCVS activities and move on to questions and answers with RCVS representatives. While the audience will ultimately decide upon the topics, the questions are anticipated to include workforce issues, the review of RCVS guidance on under care, proposals for legislative reform, VetGDP and the future of extra-mural studies.
Dr Donald said: “In my opening speech as RCVS President, I said that one of the key missions of my presidential year was to talk – and especially listen – to as many members of the professions as I possibly can.
“Relaunching our Question Time programme after a hiatus will give me the opportunity to do exactly this, as well as giving members of the professions that all-important opportunity to put their questions and concerns directly to us. We might not be able to address every problem, but these events give an excellent opportunity for vets and nurses to raise issues, forge connections with their peers and work together to find solutions.
“I hope that many of you will be able to come to our first in-person event in Glasgow but we will also be holding these question times virtually in the future for those people who may struggle to make it to these evening events. Rest assured – if you want to be heard, we will find a way to listen.”
The first virtual question time will take place in November 2022, while the next live event is scheduled to take place in Nottingham in January 2023. Further information about the events will be posted on rcvs.org.uk/events in due course.
To register for the Glasgow event visit: tinyurl.com/22pem3d6
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. 
