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RCVS to convene summit on workforce shortage
The UK welcomed just 155 vets from the EU between January and May 2021, compared to 533 in the same period in 2019.

Summit will take place with key stakeholders in the autumn

The RCVS has announced that it is planning to convene a summit in a bid to address the current veterinary workforce shortage.

Speaking during the first in-person meeting of RCVS Council since March 2020 (9 September), CEO Lizzie Lockett explained that the causes of the shortage are multifactorial, including the UK’s exit from the European Union, the impact of COVID-19 and a rise in pet ownership.

She said that the College was currently gathering data to gauge the extent of the problem, and was planning a Summit for later in the autumn to discuss recruitment, retention and return.
The summit will take place under the RCVS' ViVet innovation project in collaboration with key stakeholders, including veterinary organisations and employers.

Recent figures published by the RCVS show that registrations of vets from overseas have fallen significantly. The UK welcomed just 155 vets from the EU between January and May 2021. During the same period in 2019, the figure stood at 533.

Veterinary practices are also having to deal with staff needing to self isolate as a result of positive COVID-19 tests, all while being busier than ever. Figures from the PFMA suggest that a staggering 3.2 million UK households acquired a pet during the pandemic.

During the RCVS Council meeting, Ms Lockett said that the RCVS is in discussions with veterinary schools in the EU that have an oversupply of graduates to encourage them to work in the UK.
She added that the veterinary workforce could form part of future trade discussions between the UK and Australia but stressed that the profession ‘should not be used as a bargaining chip.’

Increased messaging to animal owners about the current shortages was also raised as a potential way to ease the pressure on the already-overstretched workforce.

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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. 

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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.