RCVS Day 2021 speeches: RCVS CEO, Lizzie Lockett

Good morning everybody.

Thank you for joining our AGM this year – sadly the second in a row where we are not able to see you in person.

Our response to Covid has dominated the year, with over 30 different temporary policy changes, and regular updates to our guidance. We also continued to publish regular Surveys of the Economic Impact of Covid on veterinary practice – and are about to launch a survey for vets and veterinary nurses looking at the personal impact of this historic period.

Although challenging, going into lockdown was in some ways more straightforward than the route back out again – and back in again – and back out again. Let’s hope at least this time the journey will be one way.

Although we are maintaining our Taskforce as a backstop, the majority of Covid-related decisions are now going to back to our committees and we will be reviewing our approach to the pandemic in the autumn, including considering which of the changes we might wish to keep because they have been beneficial.

Alongside coping with the pandemic, I have been proud that ‘business as usual’ has been maintained, while also making great progress on delivery of our strategic plan.

The Education Team has worked on a series of important projects stemming from Vet Futures, including new Day One Competences; new accreditation standards – now under consultation; and the launch of the new Vet Graduate Development Programme.

Following consultation this year, our Legislation Working Party’s proposals have now been approved by Council to go to Defra. Meanwhile, some short-term changes to our disciplinary processes, which will improve speed to resolution while maintaining robustness - as befits a compassionate regulator - were approved in June.

Another key consultation has been on Under Care and out-of-hours, and what this means in modern veterinary practice. This has been a detailed process, involving focus groups, stakeholder consultation, a large survey of vets and nurses, and gathering evidence on what has been happening in practice. This will come to our Standards Committee for review before any new guidance is drafted for consultation.

The work of the Diversity & Inclusion Group has been key this year, and its strategy was published in February. From this came our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Veterinary Student Working Group, jointly with the Veterinary Schools Council, which is looking at the wearing of religious clothing in clinical settings, support during extra-mural studies, role models and reporting structures.

And talking of role models, we have been really proud of all the work that Mandisa Greene has been doing this year as our first Black President, with countless inspiring talks to both members of the professions and to young people.

I was also delighted that the RCVS was listed as one of the top five places for women to work in the UK by Great Place to Work.

Covid has reminded us all that we live in a global community and the veterinary profession is no exception. During this year we have worked with the International Veterinary Regulators Network, the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe and our Mind Matters International project to ensure that our work in areas such as mental health, under care and the pandemic response is well communicated to our international peers – and that we can learn from them, too.

And being mindful of our global responsibilities, we are working with the Refugee Council to financially support refugees with overseas qualifications with their statutory membership examination fees.

We set up a new Registration Committee to bring greater visibility and prominence to decisions about who joins the RCVS Register, and on what terms – and, post EU Exit, this is challenging work.

A working group on Environment and Sustainability has also been set up – covering issues that we know have wider societal impact.

Interestingly, environmental sustainability didn’t come up during our Vet Futures project research back in 2015, demonstrating how quickly things change. We have started evaluating the first Vet Futures Action Plan, jointly with the BVA, and will be taking the initiative forward into its second phase soon.

Finally, a huge thank you to the staff team – I usually say ‘at Belgravia House’ but of course they are scattered to the four winds at the moment! You have tackled the difficulties of these last 12 months with determination, grace, flexibility and compassion, and I am very proud of all of you. The pandemic has brought many tough challenges to tackle outside of your worklife, but you have remained dedicated to animal health and welfare throughout.

Thank you also to our Council members who have put in a huge amount of additional hours for us this year, and to our incredibly supportive Officer team.