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Young vet speaks out about lack of black and minority ethnic role models
Just three per cent of vets in the UK are from BME backgrounds.


David Charles reveals new ideas to build a diverse profession 

A young veterinary surgeon has spoken out about the barriers faced by current and potential black or minority ethnic (BME) veterinary students both in the UK and the USA.

Twenty-six-year-old David Charles from Oakwood Vets in Norfolk is somewhat of a rarity in the profession, with figures showing just three per cent of vets in the UK are from BME backgrounds.


David was president of the Association of Veterinary Students (AVS) 2018-19 and is now senior vice president of the AVS. He believes that studying to become a veterinary surgeon in such an environment could be challenging.


“First of all, there is the lack of BME role models in the UK for vets, vet students and aspiring vet students,” he explained. “It’s very common to go through five years of training without being taught by, or seeing practice with, any BME vets. 


“Arguably the most high-profile vets on TV are Noel Fitzpatrick and the Yorkshire Vet, which aren’t very representative to aspiring vet students.”

David continued: “For students considering our profession, it can seem like a career option which isn’t open to them. As they say, ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ and we really need to work on developing a pipeline of BME students who believe they can be part of our fantastic profession.”


David recently returned from New Orleans where he spoke at the inaugural Conference of the National Association of Black Veterinarians (NABV). He is now eager to become one of several veterinary role models for aspiring students from ‘unconventional backgrounds’.


David said: “Black vets account for less than three per cent of the industry in the USA, making it the whitest profession in the country. The NABV is committed to changing that and is actively working for a more diverse and inclusive profession for current and future black veterinarians. 


“They are working hard to create a strong network and community of black vets in the USA and are working with allies such as the AVMA and several heads of vet schools to develop a pipeline of young black vet students, something which is also lacking here in the UK.”

He added: “One of the key points which really resonated with me was that being a black vet shouldn’t be such a big thing, you’re just a vet who happens to be black. Surely it’s much more important to be a good vet and, therefore, a good role model to future students.”

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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.