New RCVS President to host Regional Question Time in Telford

On Wednesday 6 September, we will be heading to Telford for our first Regional Question Time (RQT) hosted by our new President, Dr Sue Paterson FRCVS. This marks the second in-person RQT to be held this year, the first of which was held in Nottingham back in January.

Our RQTs provide members of the professions with the opportunity to learn about current and upcoming College projects and initiatives directly from the RCVS Officer team, Council members, and senior staff. There is also an opportunity for open dialogue, where you can raise any queries with staff, in a friendly, informal environment.

The event will begin with supper and drinks at 6.30pm, with the evening programme starting at 7.30pm with an update on RCVS activities and then moving on to questions and answers with RCVS representatives. This includes the entire RCVS Officer team: RCVS President Sue Paterson, RCVS Treasurer Tshidi Gardiner, RCVS Senior Vice-President Melissa Donald, Junior Vice-President Linda Belton, VN Council Chair Belinda Andrews-Jones RVN, RCVS Registrar Eleanor Ferguson and RCVS CEO Lizzie Lockett.

Discussion topics on the evening will be audience-led but are likely to cover current important topics including workforce issues, the new under care guidance, legislative reform recommendations, VetGDP, 1CPD, the Practice Standards Scheme’s new sustainability standards, and our new EMS guidelines.

RCVS President, Dr Sue Paterson, said: “Having participated in past Regional Question Times in my role as Junior Vice-President, I look forward to meeting once again with members of the professions to discuss the important issues currently facing us and the ways in which we can work together to address them.

“The theme for my presidential year focusses around recruitment and particularly widening participation as one of the three themes of the RCVS Workforce Action Plan. While talking to the outside world is important, we cannot hope to move forward without first engaging effectively with each other.

“Clear, compassionate communication is key, and we all have a role to play in creating the change we want and need to see. I hope many of you will be able to join us in Telford as we are ultimately all working towards the same goal. We all want to do the best job we can to uphold high standards of animal health and welfare, and ensure that veterinary and veterinary nursing professionals, both now and in the future, are able to have long-lasting, fulfilling careers. At our RQT, you can find out directly how we are working towards these aims.

“We look forward to meeting as many of you as possible and, for those who cannot attend this time around, we will be hosting further sessions in the future.”

For more information on the September 2023 Regional Question Time session and to book your place, visit our Question Time event page.