RCVS And VN Council Elections Now Open

Edward, from CheshirePet, is one of 13 candidates running for three elected places, one current Council member seeking re-election and 12 who are not currently on the Council. 

Voting will once again take place entirely online this year and secure links were be sent via email to all veterinary surgeons during week commencing March 14. Votes can be cast for up to four candidates. 

Edward, who qualified from Bristol in 1992, settled in Cheshire in 1998 and shortly after established small animal practices in rural Holmes Chapel and Sandbach. 

He sold his first practice to IVC Evidensia and has continued to work there while expanding his role within the business. Edward has been Chair of the IVC Evidensia UK Clinical Board for the past two years, a role soon to be taken up by Dave Tweedle. 

Edward’s passion has always been as a GPVet, but he is concerned at some of the challenges he sees confronting the sector. If elected to the RCVS Council, he is committed to championing the critical role of the GPVet within the profession. 

“As GPVets we can all suffer from a lack of confidence, especially in the current climate,” said Edward. “It’s a sector that is undergoing significant change, through increased client complaints and the huge self-expectation of those involved. 

“In addition, we need to accept that when things don’t always go exactly as we want, that’s just part of life and it is totally acceptable. It’s vital we learn from those situations, and we must look to build resilience. 

“I want to ensure the GPvet sector gets the focus and status it deserves – we underpin the vet profession. 

“Council elections are always an opportunity to have your say, so it’s important vets and vet nurses use their vote, regardless of which candidate they choose.”  

Becoming part of the Clinical Board allowed Edward to understand how to drive large-scale clinical standards, in particular through the use of Quality Improvement programmes. 

He has gained great experience of communicating within large groups of clinical colleagues and forming group-wide initiatives, a skill he wishes to develop and drive to benefit the profession as a whole. 

Edward says he would look to utilise those skills to implement processes that will lead to improvements in animal and human wellbeing. 

Edward is also looking to introduce initiatives to decrease the wellbeing impact of Royal College Complaints, which are becoming a significant challenge for the profession. 

He has been nominated by RCVS Past President Amanda Boag, currently IVC Evidensia Chief Medical Officer, and his fellow Bristol graduate Mark Evans. 

The closing date for casting votes for the RCVS Council is 5pm on Friday, April 22 and you can find details of all candidate manifestos here.

Voting for the VN Council elections also opened on the same day. Three RVNs from IVC Evidensia practices are running: Teri-Anne Baldwin from Dr Doolittle Vets Aberdare, Jessica Louise Beckett from Moorview Referrals and Sarah Amanda Scholes from White Cross Vets, Liverpool.  

You can find details of all VN candidate manifestos here. 

We congratulate Edward, Teri-Anne, Jessica and Sarah for their well-deserved nominations!