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BAME vet student working group holds first meeting
The group concluded the immediate priority would be around the reporting structure for discriminatory incidents.
Group to develop clear discrimination reporting structures for EMS placements.  

A working group to better support Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) students at UK veterinary schools held its inaugural meeting last month during which it confirmed its areas of work.

The joint RCVS/VSC (Veterinary Schools Council) group was formed following an RCVS Diversity and Inclusion Group round-table discussion held last autumn. 

Participants of the working group – including BAME student representatives, senior RCVS staff and UK vet school representatives - concluded that the immediate priority would be around the reporting structure for discriminatory incidents encountered on EMS or other work placements.

The working group agreed that further options would need to be considered, and a legal expert with experience in reporting mechanisms would be invited to the next meeting so that participants may consider different options to make recommendations. 

Professor Pettitt, co-chair of the Working Group and a representative of the VSC on the RCVS Diversity and Inclusion Group, said: “I co-hosted the roundtable last year and found it fascinating and insightful but also recognised the considerable frustrations that the students felt and that’s why I am excited that this group has now got underway so we can focus on making progress and finding solutions to the issues that were raised.”

The joint round-table discussion held last autumn identified areas where students required additional support and discussed some of the discriminatory incidents they had encountered. These included:

  • developing clear discrimination reporting structures, particularly for students on extra-mural studies (EMS) 
  • developing and supporting a group of role models within the vet schools amongst both the student body and faculty 
  • developing support structures for BAME students, with faculty training on how to do this.
     
The group will also be looking at guidance for the wearing of religious clothing within a clinical context. 

Stephanie-Rae, co-chair and final year veterinary student at the RVC, said: "The willingness of this group to have student co-chair reflects appreciation for the student voice of our universities, and I feel honoured to be taking on this role. Especially for this group, representation of affected parties really matters and being able to give an unfiltered perspective of experiences will benefit all members.

“While this is not a permanent group, the report and recommendations that are produced will be actioned by the permanent Diversity and Inclusivity group, and always bringing in expert advice and lived experience where needed. We plan on sourcing expertise where necessary and should reflect on the efforts that have been made by other organisations, particularly in the last year.”

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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.