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New 'Think Tank' series for vet nurses announced
The new series of veterinary nurse Think Tank events kicks off on 21 July.
Sessions include 'everyday leadership' and 'innovation and problem solving'.

A new series of veterinary nurse 'Think Tank' events has been announced, focusing on areas such as leadership, innovation and the importance of a just culture.

A collaboration between the RCVS Mind Matters Initiative and skills provider, VetLed, the ongoing series aims to tackle incivility in the workplace and facilitate working environments that prioritise wellbeing. 

To date, the collaboration has included six fully-funded civility training sessions, a free psychophysical safety workshop and the first of four veterinary nurse Think Tanks. The new sessions, sponsored by the RCVS MMI, will focus on the following:
  • Everyday leadership – Thursday 21 July 2022
  • Innovation and problem solving - Thursday 20 October 2022 
  • When things go wrong: The importance of a just culture – Thursday 19 January 2023.
Mind Matters Manager, Lisa Quigley, said: “It’s fantastic to be working with VetLed and the BVNA to run these think tanks. Maintaining a positive working culture is essential both for the wellbeing of the practice team, but also for the wellbeing of the animals in their care.

“Veterinary nurses carry out vital work and are an essential part of the practice team. It’s therefore of utmost importance that they feel empowered and safe to have their voices heard, and supported to drive sustainable, positive change.”

Helen Silver-MacMahon, research and development director at VetLed, said: “The next Think Tank will focus on everyday leadership, where we will be exploring some of the potential challenges facing aspiring and current veterinary nurse leaders, and the ways in which these challenges can be approached. The session is interactive, so we actively encourage people to share their experiences, to allow us all to learn from and support each other.”

The Think Tanks were launched in 2021 to offer veterinary nurses a safe space in which to explore veterinary 'human factors' – an established discipline drawing on scientific knowledge about the human body, mind and behaviour to understand human capabilities and limitations. 

A 2021 survey of student veterinary nurses, graduates and clinical coaches, conducted by MMI, found that 96 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that bullying and incivility was a serious problem in the profession. 

These findings we backed by a recent VetLed poll of veterinary reams, which reveals 97 per cent had been on the receiving end of incivility in practice.

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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. 

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News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.