Chief Veterinary Officer

Responsibilities

The Chief Vet is responsible for providing veterinary advice to Scottish Ministers and leading on animal health and welfare for Scotland.

The role includes protecting human health through the control of zoonotic diseases (those which spread between animals and humans). Responsibilities also include preventing, controling or eradicating notifiable diseases such as avian influenza, foot and mouth disease, rabies and TB, thereby maintaining or opening trade routes.

Another aspect of the job is to encourage high health standards to increase productivity and efficiency, and to drive improved standards of animal welfare in all species.

Biography

Sheila Voas joined the Scottish Government in 2007 as a veterinary adviser, and then as deputy CVO, having previously worked for the State Veterinary Service as a field based veterinary officer.

Prior to joining the government services Sheila spent almost 20 years in private practice, in a variety of jobs in the Scottish Borders and the North of England, including 15 years in a mixed practice based between Biggar and Peebles. She qualified from the 'Dick Vet' college at the University of Edinburgh in 1988, having never considered a career other than veterinary medicine.

Married with two sons, Sheila lives in the Scottish Borders near Blyth Bridge, a home which she shares also with three cats – and has a horse in a nearby field.