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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.
A series of virtual and in-person events will give vets and nurses the opportunity to raise issues with the College. 

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

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.