Dr Lara Wilson

Telephone: 028 37 510 784

Address: 18 Victoria Street, Armagh, Co. Armagh BT61 9DT

Proposers

Dr Niall Connell FRCVS

Dr Rachel Dean MRCVS

Candidate biography

I grew up in Scotland and the Seychelles and graduated from Glasgow Vet School in 1996. I entered mixed practice in Northern Ireland, then joined Vets Now in Belfast progressing to District Vet, supporting clinics in Scotland and in South-East England. This role emphasised the value and complexity of team-work allowing me to gain a deeper understanding of the veterinary practices we served, their concerns and aspirations. Alongside working shifts I provided clinical training, mentoring and support to clinic teams.

In 2020 I moved to the Pet Emergency hospital in Glasgow, leading the OOH Team and supporting rotating interns. I gained a strong understanding of referral practice and developed my ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and my teaching skills.

Returning to first opinion practice as a Regional Clinical Lead for CVS in 2022. I provide clinical support to individuals and teams across Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Continuous personal development is important to me. I earned an MBA from the OU and study Applied Linguistics. My interests include emergency medicine, surgery, and client and colleague communication.

I live in the City of Armagh with my husband, our children, a pony and a scruffy schnauzer.

Candidate statement

Why do you want to stand to be a member of RCVS Council?

I am standing for RCVS Council because I care deeply about our profession. I believe that strong, open communication is essential for working together, and with our clients and patients. I have a strong desire to keep learning and developing, and I believe we should help others achieve the same, never pulling up ladders behind us, but extending a hand.

In my everyday role I work hard to make a positive difference and build relationships. I feel ready to contribute more broadly. Following the CMA investigation, with a new Veterinary Surgeons Act imminent, we have an opportunity to shape thoughtful, constructive, change. I want to ensure that future RCVS decisions and contributions to regulatory change reflect the realities of practice while protecting animal welfare and public trust.

I believe in upholding standards for our patients and clients and this can only be done as part of a well-regulated team. I would push to have the title Veterinary Nurse protected. I am committed to the idea that regulation can be delivered with compassion as well as rigour. I would bring pragmatism, fairness, and a collaborative mindset to Council.

This is a volatile and uncertain time for the profession. I can help.

What do you think you can bring to RCVS Council?

I am a corporate employee however, I am firstly a veterinary surgeon and that is the basis on which I would serve on Council. I have a strong moral compass and stand up for my principles and values. Today, the majority of vets work within corporate practice. As new regulations and Veterinary Surgeons Act are developed, I feel it is important that employed corporate vets are heard. I will bring balance to Council.

There are few Vets in Scotland and Northern Ireland currently on Council and they face different challenges to more densely populated, urban areas. I will bring knowledge of practice in these areas to Council.

I value compassionate leadership, being honest, whilst being kind. I am comfortable challenging in a constructive and respectful manner. I ask questions and expect answers.

I have a sound understanding of and interest in, the Code of Conduct. I have lived the on-call life, worked in dedicated OOH, primary-care and referral practice.

I am honest, hardworking and reliable. I will uphold the principles of the profession, always striving to reach the best achievable outcome whilst building strong and effective relationships.

What relevant experience do you have?

I am approaching 30 continuous years in practice, excepting maternity leaves. I have an excellent knowledge of the Code of Conduct, sharing and clarifying it to others in my role as mentor.

I have wide experience of decision-making in practice, analysing information, deciding on best action, creating and editing clinical guidelines and non-clinical policies including resolving complaints. These experiences will support my work on Council.

I have effectively participated in boardrooms and committees in both corporate practice and voluntary organisations, including the BVA and the Vet Trust; organising conferences and support materials, working as an engaged team member to achieve our goals. I have experience in independent and corporate practice as well as experience of transitioning between the two whilst an employee. I will bring this experience with me to support the work of the RCVS.

I have worked in practices in Scotland, Northern Ireland and England; mixed, small animal, independent, corporate, referral and dedicated out of hours. I understand the worry of returning to work after a career break and my experiences combined with the work I do with new/recent graduates means I truly understand the challenges faced by many sectors of our profession.

Answer to question submitted by the profession

How will you support the provision of veterinary services and mixed vets to work in the Highlands and Islands where they are essential to those communities and farmers alike?

The provision of veterinary services in the Highlands and Islands, as well as other remote and less-populated areas of the UK, is vital to animal welfare, food security and the resilience of rural communities. Challenges faced by vets in these regions can be uniquely demanding with long journeys, weather disruption, ferry cancellations and the demand of 24 hour cover in small teams putting a strain on practices and the individuals within them. Some support is in place, for example the Highlands and Islands Veterinary Support Scheme, but more must be done to ensure these critical services remain viable. 

As the new VSA is developed and as RCVS regulation evolves we must keep sight of the fact that animal welfare needs are the same in remote regions as elsewhere, yet the capacity of practices to meet additional administrative requirements is not. Regulation must protect core welfare requirements without imposing layers of "nice to have" expectations that overwhelm smaller teams, to differentiate welfare-driven obligations from aspirational standards.  Registered veterinary nurses should be supported to act to their full capacity. We must increase opportunities for EMS in remote and mixed practices, support students to undertake placements, and reduce administrative barriers for practices hosting them. Encouraging broad, all‑species EMS will also strengthen national preparedness for future animal health emergencies. 

In remote communities, the loss of a local practice has profound animal welfare and social consequences and the RCVS should listen, consider and act in order to prevent this.