The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7236 p218
15 February 2003

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Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons: consultation (more)

Vets start consulting on modernisation

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is consulting its members on the future regulation of the profession. The college says that the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, which gives powers to regulate the profession, is out of date and that new legislation is expected in the next two to three years.

The college is asking its members how many lay members they think should sit on its council. It says that the college's professional and regulatory role gives it a good case for arguing for a lay membership of no more than 25 per cent, provided some members of the disciplinary committee come from outside the council.

Professor Bob Michell, a member of the RCVS council and a Privy Council nominee to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Council, said: "Where the percentage of lay membership is important is in the committees that deal with things like discipline and conduct."

The consultation also asks whether membership of the college should be separated from the licence to practise, with separate membership and registration fees.

The document says that the non-statutory functions of the college could be funded more satisfactorily in this way and that retired members and those who did not practise could continue to play a full part in the work of the college without having to pay a statutory retention fee.

Continuing professional development is also considered in the consultation, with proposals for postgraduate training, followed by licensing to work in specific areas, mandatory CPD and periodic revalidation.