David Barrett, Professor of Bovine Medicine, Production and Reproduction and alumnus of Bristol Veterinary School (BVS), shares his motivation to stand for election to the RCVS Council and his experience as a student and an academic at BVS.
Why did you decide to stand for election to the RCVS Council?
Throughout the 30+ years of my veterinary career I have always considered I have a job as a vet, through which I directly help people and animals and have made my living. However, I’m also a member of the veterinary profession and I’ve therefore always undertaken additional pro bono roles to support the wider livestock industry and the profession. Whether that be in establishing the ‘European College of Bovine Health Management’ over 20 years ago, being a director of the Scottish veterinary CPD charity Vet Trust, the 17 years I served on the British Cattle Veterinary Association Board or my numerous other roles in support of veterinary education and the profession at large. I’m at a stage in my career now where I thought I had amassed the experience and skillset needed to make a substantive contribution through the RCVS Council, and I was well enough known and respected across the whole profession to stand a reasonable chance of being elected. It’s a logical next step in supporting the profession.
What do you hope to achieve in your time as a council member?
The RCVS is both a regulator and Royal College, this unique double role means that it impacts on all veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, and students of both professions as well as the animals we care for and the public. As a Council member, one is a vital but small part of that larger machine, but it’s important to understand that my personal achievements may be hard to delineate and recognise. However, I hope to assist the College particularly in matters relating to veterinary education (at all levels), food and farm animal veterinary work and responsible medicine use in particular, as well as work towards a new Act of Parliament to replace the now outdated Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966).
Do you think your role on the RCVS will compliment your one at Bristol Veterinary School?
Yes, I think this will be the case as I hope to sit on the RCVS Education Committee and to bring my 30 years’ experience in veterinary education to that committee and to other parts of the RCVS structure and processes.
We noticed that you are a Bristol alumni. How did you enjoy your experience as a student?
My experience as an undergraduate at Bristol (1984-90) was one of the best times in my life, as one might expect. What I learned during that time from some of the foremost veterinary educators of their generation taught me not just about the science of veterinary medicine, but also what it meant to be a veterinary surgeon and member of the RCVS. When on the 10th July 1990 I stood on the lawn here at Langford and took the oath / declaration, my life changed for ever and my childhood dream became a reality.
What made you decide to teach at BVS?
I was offered the opportunity in 2010-11 to return to Bristol after almost 21-years away and didn’t hesitate to take up the challenge to give something back to my alma mater.
What is your favourite thing about working at BVS?
The people, both staff and students, are the reason I love my job, despite its many, constant and varied challenges.
What are your research interests?
Over the years I’ve been interested in many areas of research related to bovine health and production and veterinary education. Laterally, this has been related to responsible medicine usage and antimicrobial resistance. Since becoming School Education Director though, sadly I’ve had to step back a little from research, but I hope to increase my involvement again in the future.
What motivates you in your role?
I used to be motivated to be the very best at what I did, as a European and UK Specialist in bovine health management. However, now the focus is less about me and more about guiding, motivating and mentoring others to achieve their goals, both individually and collectively. For example, by playing a small part in creating and delivering a new world-leading veterinary curriculum here at Bristol, and ensuring we are amongst the very best veterinary schools in the world. It sounds like a cliché, but I really am motivated to leave this veterinary school and the veterinary profession in a better place than when I entered it.