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Survey highlights ‘key wellbeing issues’ in government vets
Only 25 per cent said their workload was acceptable, while three quarters said it was either high or unacceptable.
Over half work in ‘ethically challenging’ situations  

The majority of government vets say they work in emotionally and physically challenging environments, yet a third are unaware of workplace policies to help them deal with this.

This is according to a recent survey by the Association of Government Veterinarians (AGV). Over 700 vets responded to the survey, which looked at key issues affecting wellbeing.

Key findings include:
  • over half (57 per cent) of respondents said they work in ethically challenging situations. Witnessing and monitoring non-stun slaughter was commonly cited as a current example that causes distress
  • only 25 per cent said their workload was acceptable, while three quarters said it was either high or unacceptable
  • fifty-four per cent said they witnessed distressing situations  
  • the majority (94 per cent) had to engage in difficult conversations, but just a quarter said they had had training to deal with this
  • about a third of respondents were involved in mass culling or euthanasia events, and almost two thirds found this emotionally challenging. However, only 17 per cent knew of support mechanisms in place
  • most worked in an organisation with a ‘walk away’ policy when faced with threats, but over a quarter were unaware of this
  • there were varying degrees of concern about lone working. A fifth felt their organisations could provide support in this, and offered a range of possible solutions.

On a positive note, a high percentage of participants felt that they had clear work objectives, could manage their work effectively, had control over their own work and could manage distressing situations. Most felt they had been given adequate training, but some areas were highlighted for improvement.

Support from colleagues and being part of a team appeared to offer invaluable support mechanisms to colleagues during difficult periods.

Commenting on the findings, the UK’s chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said: “I welcome this report and thank the Association of Government Vets for their initiative in grasping the well-being ‘nettle’, a subject that can be difficult and awkward but must not be ignored. Tackling well-being must not end up in the ‘too difficult’ box.
 
“The first steps in the journey of resolving a problem is to first recognise it and secondly understand it beyond the superficial and anecdotal. In my opinion this is what AGV have done with this report.”

Following the results of the survey, AGV has released a set of 32 recommendations. These include raising awareness of and establishing policies for dealing with violent or aggressive behaviour, lone working and ‘walk away’ policies.

Employers could also offer more practical training in areas where vets feel this is lacking, and provide more emotional, physical and psychological support for those working on major, high profile events. AGV said it is imperative that vets feel supported and receive adequate training. The group also recommended a review of government vet salaries and fees.

Read the full report here: https://www.agv.org.uk/


 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.