SPVS Member Survey: Veterinary Surgeons Act Reform and the Future Role of the RCVS
The UK Government is currently consulting on reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, the legislation that underpins the regulation of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses in the UK. These reforms may lead to significant changes in how the profession is regulated and how professional leadership activities are delivered in the future.
At present, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) undertakes both:
Regulatory functions (such as registration, standards, and disciplinary processes), and
Professional leadership and development activities (such as education initiatives, Mind Matters, leadership programmes, and other profession-supporting activities).
One of the key questions being considered in the reform process is whether these roles should continue to be delivered by the same organisation or whether regulatory and professional leadership functions should be structured differently in the future.
As the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) prepares its response to the consultation, it is essential that we understand how practising veterinary professionals view these different roles.
This short survey aims to understand:
How aware members are of the different functions currently delivered by the RCVS
Which of these services or activities members have used in the last 12 months
How valuable these activities are to veterinary professionals
How important it is that these functions continue to be delivered by the RCVS or another organisation in the future
The survey should take around 5–10 minutes to complete.
All responses are anonymous and will be analysed in aggregate. The results will help SPVS ensure that its submission to Government reflects the views and experiences of practising veterinary professionals, particularly those working in clinical practice and practice leadership.
Your participation will help ensure that the future framework for veterinary regulation and professional support reflects the real needs of the profession.
Thank you for taking the time to contribute.
Peter Orpin
President, Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons