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Graduates have concerns over EMS, survey finds
vet clipboard
Many graduates said they did not feel EMS placements helped them gain experience of out-of-hours and weekend work.
Majority of graduates feel EMS is "essential" but have some reservations

Findings from a recent RCVS survey show that veterinary graduates have a number of concerns over extra mural studies (EMS), although the majority feel it is an "essential" part of their degree.

In total, 287 graduates from 2012 and 2013 took part in the survey. Of these, 95.6 per cent said they felt EMS was a vital part of their degree.

The graduates said it benefitted them by exposing them to a variety of working practices and professional and clinical skills.

A large number of graduates (42.9 per cent) said they did not find EMS placements useful for gaining experience of out-of-hours and weekend work, however.

A number of other concerns about EMS were also raised, including the variable quality of placements. A significant number of respondents said they were disappointed with the amount of hands-on experience they gained from their placement.

Respondents also complained about a lack of farm and mixed animal practices available for placements. Other problems included the cost of travel and accommodation.

RCVS says it launched the survey earlier this year to find out how well EMS placements are working and whether graduates felt they gained knowledge and experience that they could not have gained from their core studies.

RCVS head of education Christine Warman said: "What is clear is that the current system is working well and there is no need for an immediate review or urgent action.

"Most graduates found the experience gained on placements useful for their studies and find that EMS sets them up well for their first job in practice.

"However, there are a number of issues that we will keep a watching brief over and we plan to repeat the survey every two years in order to monitor these."

Visit the RCVS website for the full results of the survey.

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.