“The Society, under the new regulatory regime, has to generate its own income and members’ fees alone are not sufficient to provide what we want to provide and what we must provide,” he said.

“We only eat what we kill and that environment forces you to be lean and hungry, which is not a bad thing, if somewhat challenging.

“It means — first and foremost— that we must win and hold the respect of practitioners and be sure that when we make policy, prioritise services and make public comment that what we do and say reflects the majority view.”