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Practices urged to improve working environments
The code aims to ensure that working settings are supportive and welcoming for all members of the veterinary team.
Figures show more than half of vets are less than satisfied with their current workplace.

UK veterinary practices are being urged to commit to better working environments after new figures show just 40 per cent of vets rate their practice as 'very good'.

The call from the BVA comes amid new figures taken from the Association’s Spring 2021 Voice of the Veterinary Profession Survey.  

When asked whether they consider their current or most recent workplace to be a good place to work, 40 per cent of vets responded ‘Yes - very good’, 47 per cent responded ‘Yes - fairly good’ and nine per cent responded ‘No’.

In response to the findings, the BVA is reminding practices of its 
Good Veterinary Workplaces Voluntary Code, which sets out clear criteria for what makes a good workplace. Launched in September 2020, the code aims to ensure that working settings are supportive and welcoming for all members of the veterinary team.

BVA senior vice President Daniella Dos Santos said: “We were aware as we launched the Code last Autumn that it might be difficult for some teams to engage with it during such a busy and challenging year.

“We know that the pressures of the pandemic and workforce shortages combined with the challenges as we leave the European Union have made this a uniquely difficult time for Team Vet. But at the same time, we were reluctant to delay the launch of a tool with the potential to make such a positive difference to the working lives of all our members.”

To mark one year since the launch of the Code, the BVA has updated its Good Workplace Hub to include a handy flowchart to guide teams through the process of assessing what they already do well. There is also guidance on identifying areas for improvement and any HR and management processes that need to be introduced to achieve a positive workplace culture. 

Ms Dos Santos added: “We know that many vet teams have successfully engaged with the code this year and found both the process and the outcomes incredibly rewarding. We’re also aware that many teams have felt on the brink of overwhelm just getting through this difficult time. 

“While many challenges look set to continue I would really urge every veterinary workplace to use these tools and ‘get started’. These are improvements that will make working life easier, less stressful and more rewarding for the whole team. And really it doesn’t matter where you start, as long as you start somewhere.”

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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.