Nominations for RCVS and VN Councils elections open
The nomination deadline is Wednesday, 31 January 2024 at 5.00pm.
The nomination period for the 2024 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council and Veterinary Nurses (VN) Council elections has opened.
Veterinary surgeons and nurses who wish to become members of a council will have until 5.00pm on Wednesday, 31 January 2024 to enter themselves as candidates.
There are three elected veterinary surgeon places available in the RCVS Council, and two elected veterinary nurse places in the VN Council.
RCVS Council acts as the governing body of the College, and is responsible for the regulation and advancement of veterinary professions. Members elected to the RCVS Council approve major policy decisions, strategic and financial plans and annual budgets.
RCVS Council members may also be asked to sit on committees, sub-committees and ad-hoc working groups for topics such as standards, education, registration, finance and profession advancement.
Members of the VN Council are responsible for veterinary nurse education and training standards, including post-qualification awards and the registration of qualified veterinary nurses.
VN Council also has oversight over the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) and RCVS VN Futures project, so members may be asked to sit on the VN Education committee and other committees, sub-committees and ad hoc working groups.
The RCVS has produced downloadable information packs for candidates to the RCVS Council or VN Council elections, which provide information about the responsibilities of each council member and the nomination process.
The packs also include the candidate nomination and information forms.
The RCVS has noted that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are currently approving amendments to the RCVS Council election scheme. Though there may be some minor changes to the nomination process, this will not affect nominations already submitted.
Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS registrar and returning officer for both elections, said: “RCVS-registered veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses of all backgrounds, at all career stages, and with all levels of experience are eligible to stand in their respective elections.
“So, if you want to help shape the future of veterinary regulation and our Royal College initiatives and activities, please consider standing in next year’s elections.”
Veterinary surgeons interested in joining RCVS Council should contact Dawn Wiggins, RCVS Council secretary, at d.wiggins@rcvs.org.uk.
Veterinary nurses interested in joining VN Council should contact Annette Amato, VN Council secretary, at a.amato@rcvs.org.uk.
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Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.
