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RCVS to form public advisory group
RCVS Council agreed to set up new Public Advisory Group at September meeting.

Group will help the College develop policy and improve communications.

The RCVS has announced the formation of a new advisory group to help the College better understand the issues currently affecting the public.

During its September meeting, RCVS Council voted to approve the terms of the new Public Advisory Group (PAG), which will also help the college develop policy and to test messaging and communications to ensure they are understandable. 

The PAG will be chaired by a member of RCVS Council and will have a minimum pool of 30 members, comprising a mix of companion animal, equine and production animal owners and keepers. Council members also approved a draft invitation for application for animal owners/keepers who would like to join the PAG. 

The meeting took place at the University of Glasgow’s School of Veterinary Medicine on Thursday, 8 September. Opening proceedings, RCVS president Melissa Donald welcomed elected members Olivia Cook MRCVS and Dr Abbie Calow MRCVS to their first full Council meeting.

Council also agreed on amendments to the policy governing the handling of complaints about Council, and committee members discussed a potential new policy around the RCVS bringing forward private prosecutions for breaches of the Veterinary Surgeons Act (VSA).

On the VSA, Council discussed potential advantages, disadvantages and costs of private prosecutions, and voted for a further paper setting out a draft policy on private prosecutions.

The full agenda and papers for the Council meeting can be found at rcvs.org.uk

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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.