Three BEVA members are standing for election for the RCVS Council. They are Charles Gruchy, Richard Stephenson and Barry Johnson (re-election).

Charles Gruchy was Born in Jersey, Channel Islands and qualified from Cambridge in 1976. He worked for Parker and Godsal Veterinary Surgeons, Wendover, Buckinghamshire in mixed practice with equine bias before returning to Jersey in 1979, to work at David Place Veterinary Hospital. He has been a BEVA member since graduating and his main clinical interests centre on equine work and ophthalmology. In 2004 he gained the General Practice Certificate (Equine Practice) under the auspices of the European School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies He is currently a member of the BVA Ethics and Welfare Group and served as a co-opted member of the RCVS Advisory Committee from 2003-2007. If elected Charles will focus his energies on a wide number of areas including a thorough review of the RCVS disciplinary hearing process, monitoring the progress of the Practice Standards Scheme and the implementation of the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice together with the need for judicious handling of the relationship the profession has with the public and government. He also intends to provide robust representation into the annual Veterinary Medicines Regulations consultation, especially the prescription charge review. He feels that as a first opinion practitioner he is able to give insight into the challenges facing those in each of these important areas affecting the profession.

Richard Stephenson, a BEVA member with twenty years experience as a working practitioner in rural Staffordshire, is standing for election to the RCVS Council. Although solely an equine vet Richard’s practice is mixed which he feels gives him a particular insight into the problems faced by small animal practices but equally his knowledge of issues specific to equine practitioners will be of relevance too. For the past three years he has served on the RCVS Equine Board giving him some exposure to the operation of the College’s structure. During that time he compiled and gained approval for a new certificate qualification in Equine Dentistry and is currently an executive member of the Farrier’s Examination Board.

If successful in his election bid Richard will focus his energies on a range of issues relevant to all in the profession, including representation and regulation of the profession, postgraduate education and practice standards, but unashamedly places special emphasis on representing those who work at the “coal face” of the veterinary profession

BEVA member Barry Johnson is standing for re-election to RCVS council.  Barry believes that it is vital for practitioners to be well represented on Council as it is on them that the burden of so many of the major issues ofr regulation, standards, education and governance fall.

If successful in his re-election bid Barry will continue to campaign for a reduced risk based inspection for the Practice Standards Scheme and will propose that Council establishes an independent investigation of the disciplinary process.

Voting papers will be circulated on 12th March 2008 and the closing date for voting will be 2nd May 2008.