"I’m looking forward to continuing my journey through Council, playing my part as a cog in the historical wheel that is the RCVS".

Dr Melissa Donald reflects on her time on Council so far and what she hopes to achieve in the new term.

This week we are publishing interviews with the new and re-elected RCVS and VN Council candidates. In this article, RCVS Council member Dr Melissa Donald reflects on her time on Council so far and what she hopes to achieve in the new term.

A graduate of Glasgow University, Melissa began her career as a food animal intern at Iowa State University in the USA before joining a two-person traditional practice on the Ayrshire coast, where she worked for 25 years.

Melissa later became the Clinical Coach for the nurse training and then RCVS practical OSCE examiner for the VN exams. She was first elected to RCVS Council in 2016 and is currently chair of the RCVS Standards Committee.

Why did you decide to stand for (re) election?

Four years ago, I put my hat in the ring for RCVS election. There were many reasons including being mightily impressed with the now-president, Niall Connell, his enthusiasm for the role shining through.

My career was at a turning point but I wasn’t prepared to turn my back on all thing vet yet. In fact, the time has flown by in a whirlwind as I have combined RCVS Council with a BVA Scottish Branch top table role and Red Tractor Farm Assurance Board.

My time with BVA Scottish Branch has come to its end (as a more formal role) and getting appointed as Chair of RCVS Standards Committee last year made me realise that my work was not yet done here. The Under Care/Out of Hours Review is a fundamental piece of work which needed some continuity at its head, so I stood for Council again this year.

What has being a member of the RCVS Council taught you about the veterinary profession?

It takes a while to understand fully how the RCVS works in its dual role as a regulator and as our Royal College, but it is an incredible place to be part of. It isn’t without its challenges, nowhere is, but the staff are amazing.

The profession has a full range of types of people (diversity still needs addressing) varying in age from 18 (the students) to those in their 80s, from across the globe and working in all types of areas under differing conditions, so of course, one size doesn’t fit all. The skill is to listen to people, work out where the issue is and see if it can be addressed, within the colleges remit to ensure it is fit for purpose for the bulk of the profession while maintaining animal health and welfare at its core.

What changes have you seen so far?

Since coming onto Council I have watched the Council start to shrink in size due to the LRO (Legislative Reform Order), I have seen an enormous amount of time taken contingency planning for Brexit, the Graduate Outcomes project develop, the new 1CPD app, the development of UCOOH and dealing with COVID-19 to name but a few. These are all headline-making items, but there is a massive amount of routine work that happens too, as has any organisation.

What are you hoping to achieve in this new term?

Over the next four years, I’m looking forward to continuing my journey through Council, playing my part as a cog in the historical wheel that is the RCVS, which was 175 years old last year, and is far bigger than any single individual.