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BVA survey seeks experiences of discrimination
"We’re aware that some colleagues have faced a backlash when talking about their experiences of discrimination" - Daniella Dos Santos.

Data will be used to better understand current issues

Veterinary professionals across the UK are being asked to share their experiences of discrimination in a new survey launched by the BVA.

The survey seeks anonymous feedback from vets, vet nurses, students and other veterinary professionals regarding incidents where they have witnessed discrimination or felt discriminated against.

“The veterinary professions should be open, welcoming and supportive of everyone; however, it is clear from the reports we’re hearing that discrimination is still an issue,” explained BVA junior vice president Daniella Dos Santos.

“Worse still, we’re aware that some colleagues have faced a backlash when talking about their experiences of discrimination. This is completely unacceptable.”

She continued: “If we hope to prompt meaningful change we need to fully understand the scale of the problems our colleagues are facing. To do that it’s important that we provide a safe, anonymous space for everyone to share their experiences.

"We hope this questionnaire will give people that opportunity and we would like to sincerely thank our colleagues for their willingness to share their personal experiences with us.”

Incorporated in the survey are the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act and other forms of discrimination that might not fit under these characteristics (E.g. weight and socio-economic background).

It has been developed with the support of British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society (BVEDS) and British Veterinary LGBT+, and is open to all members of the veterinary family, working in both clinical and non-clinical settings.

Further quantitive data on discrimination will be gathered by the BVA via its Spring Voice of the Veterinary Profession Survey 2019.

Since 2017, BVA has also been undertaking workforce research with the University of Exeter. This includes a study with employers, investigating the existence of gender discrimination in the profession.

BVA notes that the combined data from all of these studies will be used to better understand and raise awareness of the current issues and challenges, including media coverage and policy reports. The results will also feed into BVA’s ‘Good Workplace’ workstream and collaborative work with RCVS on promoting diversity in the profession.

The survey is open from 2 February until 2 March and should take around 10 minutes to complete. 

 

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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.