Applications sought for vet representatives on VN Council

Constitutional changes aimed at broadening participation in the governance of the veterinary nursing profession mean that up to three non-RCVS Council Member veterinary surgeons are sought to join the RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council.

The positions would be particularly well suited to those veterinary surgeons who have an interest in the nursing profession and some experience of working with nurses, but they need not necessarily be politically involved with the profession at this point.

Commenting on the opportunity, Roger Eddy FRCVS, VN Council Chairman, said: "This is a great chance for vets to get involved in shaping the future of veterinary nursing and comes at a time when the nursing profession is undergoing a period of exciting development. Now, more than ever, it is important that vets from all sectors of the profession take the time to get involved with the regulation and development of the veterinary team."

Issues likely to be tackled by VN Council in the future include potential regulatory changes (under the proposed new Veterinary Surgeons Act) and pre- and post-qualification education.

The RCVS has also recently launched an independent audit of the VN NVQ, and feedback from this will inform future developments to be discussed at Council.

Applications are invited from all veterinary surgeons, although those with some experience of working with veterinary nurses would be most relevant. The post will require a time commitment of approximately six to ten days per year.

Candidates wishing to apply should contact Annette Amato, Deputy Head of Veterinary Nursing (020 7202 0713 or [email protected]) to request an application pack.

Completed application packs should be received by the RCVS by 31 May 2005.

View the notes for editors

Notes for Editors

1. The RCVS is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the UK and deals with issues of professional misconduct, maintaining the register of veterinary surgeons eligible to practise in the UK and assuring standards of veterinary education.

2. The RCVS has two key functions in relation to veterinary nursing: the maintenance of the statutory list of veterinary nurses and the award of veterinary nursing NVQs and RCVS diploma qualifications.

3. The new composition of the VN Council will be:

a). Eight elected veterinary nurses

b). Six veterinary surgeons, of which three will be RCVS Council Members (to include at least one College Officer) and up to three will be non-Council Members (previously all six were Council Members)

c). Two lay members

d). The Chairman of the Professions Allied to Veterinary Science Industry Group of the Sector Skills Council (LANTRA)

e). Other persons may be co-opted as observers, for example, representatives from BSAVA and BVNA

4. The changes to the composition of VN Council will be effective from July 2005.