Candidate for RCVS Council answers questions
Image: Peter Robinson
With voting now open for the RCVS Council election, MRCVSonline spoke to candidate Peter Robinson about his plans if elected.
During discussions, Mr Robinson touched on several topical issues, including the use of antimicrobials, the RCVS practice standards scheme and plans for the college to become a first class regulator.
Discussing his views on the use of antimicrobials, Mr Robinson said the problem should be viewed as "a global problem", and is not associated with the veterinary profession alone.
He added: "We must strive always to use them as responsibly as possible so that blame cannot be levelled at the veterinary profession, and our future use is not restricted by those outside the profession."
Moving on to recent suggestions that changes could be in the pipeline for the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme, Mr Robinson said the scheme should remain, "but not in its present form".
He said: "Basic standards must be compulsory, and must be subject to inspection. The current voluntary scheme is used by participating practices as an additional means of promoting and advertising a practice. All practices should be maintaining the same basic standards; it should not be the role of the RCVS to promote individual practices."
RCVS CEO Nick Stace recently announced his aim to make the college a first class regulator. When asked what his recommendations to the CEO would be, Mr Robinson advocated "working in partnership" to "deliver a simple and effective code of how to behave professionally with each other and the public, while maintaining our high standards of animal welfare."
Mr Robinson also said the 42 members of the RCVS council need to improve communication by visiting regions and practices to talk to members. "The personal touch will always be more effective than e-mail, mailings and publications, but they all have their place," he said.
Peter added that if elected, he will aim to "eliminate the 'them and us' mentality". Younger members, he said, fear the college, but dealing with complaints and disciplining those who break the rules is only a small part of what the RCVS does.
When asked why he wanted to be on the council, Mr Robinson said: "The veterinary profession has been my life. It’s a profession that I am immensely proud of. Self-regulation has served us, our clients and their animals very well since the granting of the Royal Charter and the forming of the RCVS in 1844. We must never lose the right to self-determination and self-regulation."
Voting closes at 5pm on Friday 26 April 2013. Ballot papers have been posted to all RCVS members, who may vote online, by text or post.
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. 
