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Tag: RCVS

RCVS council election manifesto: Thomas Lonsdale

THOMAS LONSDALE

BVetMed, MRCVS

PO Box 6096, Windsor Delivery Centre, NSW 2756, Australia.

T +61 2 4577 7061

M +61 437 2928 00

E tom@rawmeatybones.com

PROPOSERS: Roger Meacock, Andrew Stephens

1980s – woke from vet-school induced stupor to realisation junk pet-food industry relies on bogus science and negligent vet “profession”.

1991 – Blew whistle on junk pet food cult.

1993 – Preventive dentistry PGCVS.

1994 – Feeding versus nutrition, Aust Vet Practice.

1994 – Cybernetic hypothesis, J Vet Dent (postulates ecological theory of health and disease as extension of Gaia Hypothesis).

1994-7 – Junk pet food cult brought four disciplinary actions before New South Wales vet board.

1995 – Periodontal disease and leucopaenia, JSAP.

2001 – Raw Meaty Bones: Promote Health published.

2004 – Nominated for ACVSc award.

2014 – Most supportive vet award; FOI research: junk pet food grease in seven Australian vet schools.

2015 – Science death experiment.

Manifesto

Pompous, arrogant, mouthing incantations, the vet high priests worship at the altar of bogus science. Founded on fallacy, they oversee the junk food poisoning of pets, betrayal of consumers and brainwashing of vet students.

They must be stopped.

Morgan Spurlock embarked on a risky experiment. For 30 days he ate junk food at every meal. He gained 11kg, his liver turned to fat, cholesterol shot up and he doubled his risk of heart failure. Fortunately for Spurlock, he escaped addiction to junk food, followed his doctor’s orders and stopped the experiment.

The medical profession tells us carbohydrate-laden junk food injures health; that periodontal inflammation and obesity are precursors of systemic disease and early death. By contrast, the junk pet food industry controls the veterinary agenda. Vet schools deliver industry-funded propaganda on diabetes, periodontal disease and obesity – while simultaneously ensuring pious mumbo-jumbo obscures the despicable, lamentable truth.

Vet “experts” jet about the world spruiking the latest concoctions; extolling the alleged benefits of elaborate treatments instead of declaring that junk food contaminates all aspects of vet science, teaching and practice. According to them, natural food, as determined by evolution, is dangerous while their paymaster’s industrial junk represents the pinnacle of excellence.

For 20 consecutive RCVS elections, I’ve called for our “self-regulating” profession to act with integrity and honour. Alas, the high priests refuse even to consider. Time, then, for the courts to decide. I recommend legal proceedings against the RCVS, junk food companies, veterinary schools and individuals in respect to animal cruelty, breach of contract, theft and fraud.

Please vote in support; instruct your lawyers and brief the media. Pets, pet owners and the wider community need our help. Thank you.

March 24, 2016
RCVS council election manifesto: Lucie Goodwin

LUCIE GOODWIN

BVetMed, DipACVIM, MRCVS

Axiom Veterinary Laboratories, The Manor House, Brunel Road, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 4PB.

T 01626 355655

M 07834 784385

E lucie.mrcvs@gmail.com

PROPOSERS: Katherine Hall, Hayley Mitchell

I graduated from the RVC in 2004 and spent the following two years working in a busy small animal hospital in Bristol. Having been firmly bitten by the medicine bug, I returned to the RVC in 2006 to undertake an internship and, subsequently, a residency in small animal medicine.

Following completion of my residency, I returned to the west country to work for the University of Bristol and Langford Veterinary Services as a teaching fellow and internal medicine clinician. I worked at Langford for a very enjoyable two-and-a-half years, before taking a short career break to help to establish the charity Brighter Bristol.

Since qualifying, I have also had experience of working in the veterinary charity sector and private referral hospitals, both in the UK and US. In my current position as an internal medicine consultant for Axiom Veterinary Laboratories, I am able to combine my enjoyment of veterinary internal medicine with a role that allows me to offer support to practitioners with their cases.

Outside of work, I love to travel and enjoy being creative. I also continue to volunteer for a number of charities in the Bristol area.

Manifesto

Like all vets, I have worked hard to become a member of the RCVS and am incredibly proud to be so. With ongoing challenges facing us, these really are exciting times for our profession and, as members, we should be engaged with our college to help create and shape our preferred future.

Having worked in a variety of clinical and academic settings, it is of no doubt to me a happy, healthy vet makes a good vet. As a role that has significant emotional and physical demands, it is no wonder a recent survey of BVA members reported reducing stress was the single highest priority for many. I believe there needs to be a culture change within the profession to support mental health and well-being, and the launch of the RCVS Mind Matters Initiative must be applauded as there is much work to be done to provide support to our members.

Veterinary education needs to meet the demands of the modern profession and it is essential the college reflects and promotes all aspects of veterinary work. It is alarming half of the vets surveyed who graduated within the last eight years reported their careers had not matched their expectations (reference: Vet Futures). Action must be taken to ensure we meet their aspirations and do not lose the skills of these highly qualified individuals.

I am passionate about the advancement of knowledge within veterinary science, particularly making use of evidence-based medicine and clinical governance. With a number of groups promoting these in practice, there is great potential for input from all areas of the profession.

If elected, I promise to contribute an enthusiastic and progressive voice to council and I would consider it a privilege to serve the veterinary community in this way.

March 24, 2016
RCVS council election manifesto: Melissa Donald

MELISSA DONALD

BVMS, MRCVS

Otters View,
Purclewan Mill, Dalrymple, East Ayrshire KA6 6AN.

T 01292 560083

M 07921 384852

E melissadonald88@gmail.com

PROPOSERS: Alison Lambert, Freda Scott-Park

I started as a food animal intern at Iowa State University, having graduated from Glasgow (1987). After two children, my first full-time position was in a traditional mixed two-person practice in Ayrshire.

For the next 25 years, I helped develop the practice to become a 100 per cent small animal, forward-thinking, customer-focused, five-vet business. I became the new graduate mentor for the practice and developed a special interest in small animal dentistry.

In 2004 became an A1 Assessor for nurse training (now clinical coach), and later RCVS practical OSCE examiner for VN exams.

Outside of work, I have my family to keep me grounded, several dogs, cats and sheep. I enjoy running, swimming, cooking, reading and have started writing children’s books. My husband and I have also run a 1,500-acre beef/sheep hill farm.

In 2012, I set up our local “parkrun”, being event director until 2014, and enjoyed being a volunteer at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014.

I am a past president of Ayrshire Veterinary Association and represented Ayrshire on BVA council, also serving on its members’ services group committee. I am a BVA and BSAVA member and have voted in nearly every RCVS election since I graduated.

Manifesto

The veterinary profession continues to evolve as it has always done over its long history. I feel this is a really exciting time to be involved in the RCVS, with the Vet Futures project going into its next stage of actioning the recommendations made. Change is only frightening if it is unknown and with this we have some degree of control.

I am pleased with the new updated practice standards scheme, which feels more like a useful tool to general practice rather than a regulatory “award”. It is also more client friendly and I hope more practices make use of the system to promote themselves, thus improving minimum standards.

My experience with mentoring school, veterinary and nurse students (our future) over the years has allowed me to open their eyes to all the career options they have, as well as the reality about the hard work, stress, student debt and mental health issues they will encounter to some degree. But I also feel vets should be supported throughout their careers, not just as new graduates, and this should be looked at.

The RCVS council needs to be made up of 24 diverse veterinary surgeons as it strives to represent the broad range of services vets provide. I have the experience to help with this. It also needs a good age and gender mix.

We have a wonderful profession we are all passionate about, and I am as proud today of being part of it as I was when I graduated.

I humbly seek your vote. I am an enthusiastic person with a half-full approach to life and almost 30 years’ general practice experience. I now have the time to fully commit to this important role.

March 24, 2016
RCVS council election manifesto: Amanda Boag

AMANDA BOAG

MA, VetMB, DipECVECC, DipACVECC, DipACVIM, FHEA, MRCVS

Mid Jawcraig Farm, Falkirk FK1 3AL.

T 01324 851381

M 07790 030068

E amanda.boag@vets-now.com

PROPOSERS: Daniel Brockman, Julian Wells

After postgraduate clinical training in the UK and the US, I spent my early career working in academia as a lecturer in emergency and critical care (ECC) at the RVC.

Since 2008, I have been clinical director of Vets Now where, along with time on the clinic floor, I am responsible for the clinical and professional standards across 53 sites, as well as being fully involved with the structure and running of a veterinary business.

I am founding president of the European College of ECC and am proud to have played an important role in the development of ECC as a career path and specialism in the UK. I have lectured widely throughout the UK and internationally, and hope any of you I have met have found me to be both practical and pragmatic about the realities of clinical veterinary practice.

I am involved with a number of veterinary organisations, including being a trustee of the British College of Veterinary Specialists, providing clinical support for Pet Blood Bank and chairing the recently formed Major Employers Group.

I have been an elected member of RCVS council since 2012 and have served on several committees, including the education committee and the operational board, having been treasurer since 2014.

Manifesto

The veterinary profession is one I am very proud to be a part of. In the 18 years I have been qualified, there have been many changes to our profession – some driven by us, others where we reflect changes in society. As an RCVS council member, I will continue to work hard to ensure our profession increasingly shapes its future and projects a confident role in the society it serves.

Since I was elected four years ago, the RCVS has undergone many changes. If re-elected, over the next four years, I will work to ensure the positive developments in governance and communication continue. The RCVS must also continue to build strong and constructive relationships with other veterinary organisations.

I was privileged to have been involved with the Vet Futures report and believe it articulates clearly the challenges, but also the opportunities, facing us over the coming years. We must now translate that into practical actions and be open to workable, innovative, solutions in areas such as omnicompetence, protection of work-life balance, telemedicine and regulation of professionals in an increasingly commercial world. As a college that regulates, the RCVS is a unique organisation and it is essential it plays its part, working alongside the other major veterinary organisations, in ensuring our profession remains vibrant and independent into the future.

With my diverse background in both the academic and commercial worlds, the perspective that comes with working closely with hundreds of different first-opinion practices, and my experience across several organisations, including the RCVS, I believe I am well placed to continue to play an important and active role on RCVS council. Moreover I care deeply about our profession and will continue to bring a modern and common sense approach to protecting its future.

March 24, 2016
RCVS council election manifesto: Christopher Barker

CHRISTOPHER BARKER

BVSc, MLitt, CertVR, MRCVS

Ashlea Veterinary Centre, Unit 2b, Port Road Business Park, Carlisle CA2 7AF.

T 01228 549177

M 07703 753758

E ctbarker@supanet.com

PROPOSERS: Anne French, Iain Richards

Since qualifying from Bristol in 1980, I have worked in a wide range of first-opinion practices (mixed, pure equine and pure small animal) and, for seven years, was involved in the tuition of final year veterinary students while working for the former Glasgow University Practice in Lanark. I achieved the CertVR from practice in 1991 and obtained an MLitt for archaeological research in 1989.

Since 1994, I have run a small animal practice in Carlisle with my wife Kirsty, which has grown to employ five veterinary surgeons and four RVNs, and accepts student VNs from three different colleges. The practice achieved the Investors in People Award on three occasions. I take primary responsibility for cardiology, imaging and orthopaedic work.

Beyond work, my interests include skiing, cycling and DIY, keeping my English setter fully exercised and watching cricket.

Before offering myself for election to the RCVS, I spent two years on SPVS Council; I was elected to RCVS Council for the first time in 2012.

Manifesto

I have been fortunate to be a member of the standards committee throughout my first term on council. Currently its vice-chairman, I have sought to ensure demands made of practitioners are both reasonable and deliverable.

I was part of the post-Chikosi 24/7 review, which, we hope, has more clearly defined the responsibilities of both owners and veterinary surgeons. Another review may prove unavoidable as consumer choice leads to the fragmentation of veterinary service provision, with resultant confusion as to who exactly carries responsibility for the emergency care of those animals “registered” with more than one supplier.

A recent survey, part of the Vet Futures initiative, has revealed worrying levels of disillusionment among younger members of the profession. Further analysis will, I hope, help us to understand the reasons for this. While dedicated emergency services have improved work-life balance for many, as 10-hour days become common have we simply changed the nature of work-related stress? I find it sad fewer graduates now express an interest in running their own practice; while it is undoubtedly challenging to run your own business, you can at least take control of your professional life. If this trend continues then the number of genuinely independent practices will inexorably decline.

Next year should see the conclusion of the current review of RCVS governance, a review likely to lead to a significant shrinkage in the size of council. Elected members will remain in the majority, but their numbers will be reduced. It will be important council retains members with relevant and recent experience of first-opinion practice. In this regard, I believe I can continue to make a worthwhile contribution and would ask for your support in this election.

March 24, 2016
Finding the words
I’m a bit of a grammar Nazi, so getting involved in editing has been a lot of fun.

I enjoy writing about my experiences, but I also enjoy reading about others. I’m also a bit (or a lot) of a grammar Nazi, so getting involved in editing over the past couple of years at university has been a lot of fun.

I started by subediting the University of Glasgow’s student newspaper and proofreading emails/letters for fellow students on the organising committee for a charity event, before taking on the role of editor for the student vet magazine (JAVS), which goes out to all UK veterinary schools.

This is something I love doing, but it does have its downsides – and it sometimes feels like trying to draw blood from a stone. The past few editions of JAVS have seen a serious deficiency of contributors, but each one has been saved by my persistent chasing of articles, rallying people I know have an interesting story to tell, and reassuring those who’ve been asked to write but lack confidence in their ability.

Now this begs the question: why do veterinary students not want to write?
- Are they too busy and see it as pointless extra work that won’t be recognised or count towards their degree?
- Are they worried about not producing an item good enough to publish?
- Do they lack confidence in their linguistic abilities?
While the vet degree is insanely busy and students will count every precious moment of free time they have, there are considerable advantages to having a piece of writing published – be that in print or on the internet.

Getting your name out there

“Writing for a student publication is a great start in order to get into the swing of things without strict word counts or other constraints.”

It’s surprising how far an article or blog post can reach. People with seemingly nothing to do with the veterinary profession or, alternatively, those higher up in the profession may see them.

Social media provides a particularly excellent platform for getting your work out there – many of the student written articles published on the AVS (Association of Veterinary Students) Facebook page have received “likes” or comments from BVA and RCVS presidents.

For those looking to publish in the future, whether through research or journalism, writing for a student publication is a great start in order to get into the swing of things without strict word counts or other constraints.

Even if you have no interest in writing as part of your career, having your name on an article can have other advantages. Who knows, maybe in a few years your future employer may have been intrigued by something you’d had published – which could make the difference between being asked to interview or not.

Spread the word

Sharing ideas with other students allows writers the opportunity to pass on information that could benefit other parties as well. For example, if someone undertakes EMS with a charity he or she feels is a particularly worthwhile cause and needs extra help, writing an article to raise awareness could give the organisation a huge boost. It will also make fellow students aware so they could go and have the same great experience as others before them.

Even sharing hints and tips for other things vet related might help other students avoid common mistakes or guide them more smoothly through the maze of the veterinary degree.

Don’t be scared

“Don’t be scared. Bite the bullet. Put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and just go for it,” says Jordan.

It has been suggested many veterinary students don’t want to write because they don’t think they have anything interesting to say, or worry their finished piece won’t be good enough for publication – and I appreciate writing doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but that’s where I come in.

I can’t magic up the entire content for a whole magazine, but if students give me some ideas to work with – regardless of how scrambled they may be – they can be edited into fully formed articles.

It may be that self confidence is the issue, but don’t worry, everyone has to start somewhere. Your first attempt wont necessarily be the next Harry Potter phenomenon, but I guarantee that most veterinary students do have interesting experiences or ideas to talk about – so don’t be scared. Bite the bullet. Put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and just go for it.

Getting published can open a lot of doors you didn’t even know were there, so I would encourage every veterinary student to try to get their names out there. After all, the veterinary world is smaller than you think, and you never know who might be reading.
October 30, 2015
My first job – hopes and expectations

They are key to the future of the profession, but what are the next generation of veterinary surgeons looking for from their first job?

To find out, The Veterinary Business Journal headed up to SPVS’ “Your First Job” graduate seminar in Lancaster.

   FACTFILE

NAME: Zara Chowdhury

AGE: 22

COLLEGE: RVC

FIRST SALARY EXPECTATION: £25,000 a year

MY FIRST JOB: “I want to move into mixed practice where I will get the experience I want, but also the day-one support I need.

“There are lots of fears of course, and that is natural. Apart from the various clinical concerns, I am not looking forward to the financial side of things, pricing things up wrong and things like that.

“We have not done any business extramural studies. We have had a few business lectures, but it is something I would have liked more of – particularly earlier on in my course, so it would be good to get some kind of induction in the business side of things.”

WORK/LIFE BALANCE: “This is important to me, but I know I have to be flexible to get on.”

WHAT DID YOU GET FROM THIS EVENT? “It has helped a lot to see the various options laid out in such an accessible way.”

   FACTFILE

NAME: Fiona Laurie

AGE: 21

COLLEGE: University of Glasgow

FIRST SALARY EXPECTATION: £20,000 a year

MY FIRST JOB: “I grew up on a farm, so I have always wanted to move into mixed practice.

“Hopefully that job will provide broad experience on the clinical side, but it will be very important to me to see that I will be supported in the right way.

“Coming from a farming background, I have grown up knowing the importance of getting it right from a business perspective, but I would like to be shown the protocols and the pricing structures and have the computer systems all explained to me properly.”

WORK/LIFE BALANCE: “If the rota was really bad I would look elsewhere, as having balance is important to this generation, but we are all coming into this job with our eyes open and I am not scared of hard work.”

WHAT DID YOU GET FROM THIS EVENT? “Free wine and a lot of ideas about the diversity of career options open to those getting a veterinary degree.”

   FACTFILE

NAME: Alexander Kilgore

AGE: 27

COLLEGE: RVC

FIRST SALARY EXPECTATION: US$60,000 to US$70,000 (£35,000 to £41,000) a year

MY FIRST JOB: “I want to move straight into first opinion, small animal practice back in the United States, where the money is better.

“Ideally, in a supportive environment with a mentor to help me grow and develop as a vet and as a business professional.

“For me, there isn’t enough emphasis on the business management side of things, but I think there is more that students could do to make themselves more business-savvy.”

WORK/LIFE BALANCE: “This is a big deal, I have no problem doing out-of-hours, but I certainly don’t want to be working on a crappy rota for crappy pay.”

WHAT DID YOU GET FROM THIS EVENT? “It has shown me there are plenty of other career options in this field – particularly in industry and the military.”

   FACTFILE

NAME: Alice Griffiths

AGE: 25

COLLEGE: University of Cambridge

FIRST SALARY EXPECTATION: £25,000 a year

MY FIRST JOB: “Will be working with small animals for a boss sympathetic to the fact I still have a lot of learning to do. I want some responsibility, but at the same time I will want guidance when needed.

“We have had a few talks about the financial side at university, so I feel I know what will be expected in that direction, but some sort of written guidelines on the business side of things would be great.”

WORK/LIFE BALANCE: “The more hours asked of me, the more important it would be for me to get some flexibility in those hours – I still need to have a life.”

WHAT DID YOU GET FROM THIS EVENT? “It’s a great chance to meet my peers from other universities and to pick up some really good ideas from the speakers here. I am just surprised by how few people decided to come.”

February 23, 2015
The Doctor debate

Yes or no? Image ©iStock.com/benstevens

One of the big discussion topics within the veterinary profession at the moment is the RCVS consultation on UK-qualified vets adopting the courtesy title of “Doctor”, or “Dr”.

Given that the consultation closed on February 16, I may seem a bit late to add my two pennies’ worth, but I didn’t really know how I felt on the matter and wanted to assess the justifications before assuming a position on one side of the fence or the other.

Reasons for and against

There are valid arguments for both sides – and while those against the use of “Doctor” invariably shout louder with their opinions, there is an undeniable majority (at least across the veterinary student body) in favour of the change. In fact, a poll on the Association of Veterinary Students’ (AVS) Facebook page found 97% of respondents were in favour of adopting the title.

The suggestion is that use of the title would bring vets parity with doctors and dentists in the UK, and also with veterinarians in the US, Australia, New Zealand and parts of Europe. It has also been suggested the change would see an increased respect for vets and help highlight the level of training required (which is of similar length and breadth of doctors and dentists).

Post by The Association of Veterinary Students [AVS] (UK & Ireland).

Those against the idea argue that human surgeons do not style themselves "Doctor" (due to a historical quirk that differentiates them from physicians) and so, as veterinary surgeons, we already are on a level playing field with our human counterparts. However, as those less surgically minded are quick to point out, vets are not just surgeons; we are GPs, radiographers, anaesthetists, midwives etc, and so our skill set expands beyond those constrained by this historical quirk. Additionally, in the US, vets are termed "veterinarians" rather than "veterinary surgeons", which makes this historical quirk inapplicable if the argument is simply down to semantics. Instead of achieving parity and clarity, some claim it would actually cause more confusion as vets are neither medical doctors or PhD holders (unless they have indeed spent another few gruelling years at university), although the relevance of this in a clinical situation is questionable – are clients or farmers really going to be too fussed about whether you have a PhD if you’re calling yourself "Doctor"? They’re probably more interested in whether or not you can heal their dog or calve a cow. To this end, giving vets the option to use the title may cause further confusion as not all veterinary professionals will necessarily take it up. So should we have this option, or should we stick firmly to an "all or nothing" approach to ultimately achieve true coherence and unity?
A matter of trust
I feel the reasoning with regards to increasing respect for vets and highlighting their level of training is weak – most people outwith the veterinary field actually think we undergo more training than we do (how many times have you been asked if you train for seven years?), and I don't believe respect comes from having a couple of extra letters before your name. Respect must be earned through demonstration of skill and – perhaps more relevantly – client trust. It is this aspect of trust I believe to be the most important justification against the use of the title, and perhaps the one that might just tip the balance for me to fall into the "against" crowd. [caption id="attachment_4659" align="alignright" width="300"] Rather than trying to force respect, would we not be better off preserving the relationship and earning respect through trust? Image ©iStock.com/JackF[/caption] It is said the client-vet relationship is often far better than the patient-doctor relationship, with vets often getting to know their regular clients as well as the animals they bring in. Many clients see their vets as friends and so trust their judgement and take heed of their advice (how many times do you hear the question "what would you do if this were your dog?” ?). Rather than developing trust towards a friend, adopting the title "Doctor" may actually form a barrier (however unintentionally), causing an immediate distance between professional and customer due to subtleties such as the client feeling less inclined to be on first name terms with the vet. This would be the cost of the "respect" the title holds. Rather than trying to force this respect, would we not be better off preserving the relationship and earning respect through trust? My gut reaction to the suggestion was yes, of course I’d call myself "Doctor" given the choice – but I began to think a bit more carefully when the strong opposing statements had a substantial backbone to them. And then, on a very personal level, I remembered that I am "blessed" with a unisex name and, as such, always sign emails with a definitive MISS in front of it. For an entirely un-veterinary related reason, I might consider keeping the Miss/Ms just to avoid turning up at an interview to a confused look before the employer realises their mistaken assumption (yes, this happens more times than you would think). Alternatively, in an increasingly female-dominated profession where males may still be considered (however wrongly) to be superior, those two letters in front of my name may cause sufficient confusion to gain an interview I may otherwise have been denied based on gender... but that’s an entirely different debate.

February 17, 2015
Very blocked feline bladder

I had a poor feline with a very blocked proximal urethra, and numerous attempts to pass various kinds of [feline] urinary catheter proved unfruitful.

I’m indebted to a young colleague who helped by using two stay sutures through the prepuce to hold the penis in position – this puss was in good body condition, and this really helped expose and stabilise the penis.

My colleague then used a 22G venous catheter inserted to the level of urolith, and a bit of hydro-propulsion, and we had easily passed a catheter.

I must remember that one – thanks Dan (Preece).

Image & catheter options courtesy Danielle Gunn-Moore, BSc BVM&S PhD FHEA MANZCVSc, MRCVS, RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine.

Catheter options:
The standard (Jackson-type) tomcat catheter (A) is stiff with a metal stylet and has rough side holes, so is traumatic.

The Slippery Sam (B) has end hole or side holes, is atraumatic and stiff, so good for initial unblocking. The Little Herbert adapter (C) is also shown as it makes it easier when attaching the catheter (B) to a closed collection system.

The hub of the Slippery Sam catheter is not firmly attached to the insertion tube, so it is recommended not to be left in situ more than six hours. The Fioniavet tomcat catheter (D) has an end hole, is atraumatic and stiff, so good for initial unblocking.

July 21, 2014
Too many graduates, not enough jobs?

The increasing number of veterinary graduates has had “little impact” on job prospects, survey claims.

No doubt spurred on by a survey carried out by the Institute of Employment Studies (on behalf of the RCVS), this last week has seen an interesting focus on the availability of jobs within the veterinary profession.

Curiously enough, the survey seems to show that the increasing number of graduates over the past few years has had “little impact” on job prospects. In fact, it shows that an average of 94% of graduates seeking a role in clinical practice found work within six months.

Surprisingly, this figure did not change significantly over the five years under consideration, despite UK graduate numbers increasing by around a quarter in the same period. It did take them slightly longer to secure a post, but they still got there!

Mind you, the situation changes rather dramatically if you want to work with horses. Results of a second survey revealed by (who else?) BEVA suggests there may be up to five times as many graduates wanting to work in equine practice as there are jobs available.

Overall, however, results of the RCVS survey may slightly allay the fears of current vet students and recent graduates. But you can’t help but wonder what the situation will be like for those looking for employment when Surrey lets its first cohort loose on the veterinary job market.

Plus, with the BVA citing rumours of even more new veterinary schools on the horizon, the future of veterinary employment does start to look a lot less certain.

July 10, 2013