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ViVet to offer Design Thinking webinars
Design Thinking can be a useful way to frame problems as opportunities.
The sessions will be offered free-of-charge.

A free webinar series on Design Thinking has been announced by the RCVS ViVet initiative, open to all members of the professions.

Design Thinking, a team-based creative approach to problem solving, was first articulated by Nobel Prize laureate Herbert A. Simon, and uses five stages to reframe problems in a human-centric manner. 

Although not always linear, Design Thinking is often thought of as a five-stage process, these stages are empathise, define, ideate, prototype and test, which are all intended to contribute to a deeper and more human understanding of complex problems. 

ViVet manager Sophie Rogers commented on Design Thinking:  “Design Thinking is an incredibly useful way for us to frame problems as opportunities so we can explore solutions in a positive way. 

“We’re putting on these sessions as we believe that this human centred approach to innovation can be used in day-to-day practice life to help staff to come up with ideas.”

The sessions will be interactive, and will last for 75 minutes each – attendees can decide whether to attend one, two, or all three sessions. 

Dates for the webinars are as follows: 

 • Webinar 1 – Design Thinking, Manage client expectations, Prototype session: 31 March 12.30pm
 • Webinar 2 – Design Thinking, Innovating your client's veterinary experience, Empathy session: 8 June 12.30pm and 7pm 
 • Webinar 3 - Design Thinking, Making client interaction skills seen as a valuable investment for both employee and employer alike: 21 September 12.30pm.

“We hope that these workshops will encourage people to not shy away from problems, and instead, view them as a means of working collaboratively to improve their practice’s day-to-day life for everyone,” Sophie added. "We will cover how to use these techniques with client interactions, in practice life and within the wider veterinary profession. 

“I’m really pleased that we are able to offer these sessions free of charge for the professions and I would urge anyone who wants to learn a new way of problem solving in a friendly and supportive environment to register.” 

Any members of the professions interested in attending the webinars can sign up here.

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.