We answer your questions about our consultation on governance reform and our recommendations for modernising our governance structure.

This is part two of two, using the audio taken from a webinar we ran on 11 June 2024.  

An introduction to the RCVS consultation on governance reform, providing on overview of our unique role as a Royal College that regulates, and the background to our recommendations for modernising our governance structure.

This is part one of two, using the audio taken from a webinar we ran on 11 June 2024.   

Dudley-based Blacks Vets was the joint winner, along with White Cross Vets, of the large practice category in the 2017 Vet Wellbeing Awards. In this podcast Anna Feeney speaks to staff at the practice about how they have aimed to enhance wellbeing in areas such as dealing with the demands of the job, fostering effective working relationships and supporting personal and career development.

Worcestershire-based Meadows Farm Vets is a farm animal-only practice and the winner of the small practice category in the 2017 Veterinary Wellbeing Awards. In this podcast Anna Feeney speaks to practice owners Sophie and Richard Aylett about how smaller practices can still invest time and effort into staff wellbeing, the kind of support that can be offered to staff when they spend most of their time on site visits and supporting work-life balance.

Bristol-based Viking Vets were the winners of the medium-sized practice category in 2017. In this podcast Anna Feeney speaks to members of staff at the practice, including its co-founder Maria Lowe, about why the practice was recognised for its focus on staff wellbeing in areas such as supporting staff, encouraging work-life balance, promoting effective communication and other such initiatives. 

In another Awards episode we talk to Dr Alemayehu Hailemariam, one of the winners of this year's RCVS International Awards. 

He leads the Brooke equine charity's animal health programme in Ethiopia, and across various roles has helped an estimated 600,000 animals across Ethiopia. This is one of the world’s largest populations of working equids, belonging to some of the world’s poorest communities, who often rely upon their animals for their livelihoods. Dr Hailemariam’s work is therefore one of the finest examples of how a vet can serve their whole community.

You can read more about Alemayehu and the other RCVS Award winners on our website: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/news/college-announces-recipients-of-2018-rcvs-honours/.

In this episode we talk to Professor Peter Clegg FRCVS, this year's winner of the Queen's Medal, the highest honour the College can bestow upon a veterinary surgeon.

Head of the Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease at the University of Liverpool, he works across the veterinary, medical and biomedical world, balancing both a clinical and an academic research career while supporting dozens of students through their degrees. 

You can read more about Peter and the other RCVS Award winners on our website: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/news/college-announces-recipients-of-2018-rcvs-honours/.

In this episode we talk to Professor Derek Knottenbelt OBE, one of the winners of this year's RCVS Inspiration Award. Emeritus Professor in Equine Internal Medicine at the University of Liverpool and Director of Equine Medical Solutions, he has been recognised for inspiring generations of veterinary students, residents and Specialists.

You can read more about Derek and the other RCVS Award winners on our website: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/news/college-announces-recipients-of-2018-rcvs-honours/. 

Ebony Escalona, one of the winners of this year's RCVS Inspiration Award, leads us through the many doors that can be opened with a veterinary passport. We cover her Facebook Group 'Vets: Stay, Go or Diversify!', her time working as a veterinary advisor with Brooke: Action for Working Horses and Donkeys, and her collaboration with Learn Appeal to help spread veterinary knowledge to some of the most remote parts of the world. 

You can read more about Ebony and the other RCVS Award winners on our website: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/news/college-announces-recipients-of-2018-rcvs-honours/. 

In this episode we talk to Jade Statt, co-founder of Street Vet and one of the winners of this year's RCVS Impact Award. Since starting StreetVet in October 2016 with fellow vet Sam Joseph, Jade has had an immeasurable impact on the homeless communities in some of the largest cities in England, as well as providing over 220 volunteer vet and vet nurses a chance to expand their skillset. 

You can read more about Jade and the other RCVS Award winners on our website: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/news/college-announces-recipients-of-2018-rcvs-honours/. 

Here we talk to Rachel Wright, one of the winner's of this year's RCVS International Award In 2005 she founded the charity TOLFA, the Tree of Life for Animals, and she talks us through some of the challenges she faced from being a veterinary nurse in the UK to growing a charity in the rabies capital of the world, Rajasthan in India.

You can read more about Rachel and the other Awards on our website: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/news/college-announces-recipients-of-2018-rcvs-honours/. 

Here we talk to the veterinary nurses within the RCVS, looking at the twists and turns of their careers and discussing where a career as a veterinary nurse can take you. Download to hear from veterinary nurses Julie Dugmore, Director of Veterinary Nursing; Victoria Hedges, Examinations Manager; and Lily Lipman, Qualifications Manager. 

Following on from our workshop which aimed to help veterinary innovators develop marketing tools and techniques for their products and services.

Anthony Roberts, former RCVS Director of Leadership and Innovation and Daniel Johnson, a consultant in marketing and growth, Discuss the importance of marketing in successful innovation and start-ups. 

During the course of the workshop attendees will learn:

• The principles of marketing and how to apply them in your business
• How to identify and understand the needs of your target market
• How to capture and communicate the value of your innovation
• How to create messages that resonate with your audience
• How to develop a brand and ensure lasting customer relationships
• How to pitch your innovation to investors
• How to develop a marketing strategy

We hope you find this discussion useful, you can find more resources on the ViVet website. 

www.vivet.org.uk/resources   

How can veterinary students help to shape the profession? Here we talk with Eleanor Robertson, Senior Vice-President of the Association of Veterinary Students (AVS), about how students are becoming ambassadors for Vet Futures, working with us and the BVA to address such key issues as innovation, One Health, mental health awareness, veterinary societal outreach, and graduate outcomes. 

If you're a student and would like to get involved please do follow the AVS Facebook page for updates (https://www.facebook.com/AVS.UK.Ireland/), or if you'd just like to learn more about Vet Futures please visit the website (https://www.vetfutures.org.uk/). 

Here we talk to Amanda Boag, RCVS Junior Vice President, about RCVS Council - what it does, why she ran to become a Council member six years ago, and why she'd encourage everyone to vote in this year's elections! 

For more information on this year's RCVS Council election, please visit our website: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/news/voting-opens-in-2018-rcvs-council-election/. 

In this episode we talk to Dr Louise Freeman, Co-chair of the Doctors' Support Network (DSN), about our joint mental health campaign, &me.

Launched in January 2017 by our own Mind Matters Initiative and the DSN, &me encourages prominent members of the healthcare profressions to speak out about their own experiences with mental ill health, demonstrating how they've recovered and gone on to a successful career. 

To read the &me ambassadors' stories please visit our website (https://www.vetmindmatters.org/we-all-have-mental-health/) or follow the campaign on Twitter with the hashtag #AndMe. 

In this episode we discuss proposed changes to CPD to make it more focused on interactive, reflective learning, and talk to Dot Creighton, Chair of the VN Futures Post-registration Working Group, about the Group's progress over the past year.

If you're a vet or a VN who would like to take part in the CPD trial and help shape the future of CPD, please email cpd@rcvs.org.uk or visit our website for more information. 

In this episode we talk with Chris Tufnell, RCVS Senior Vice President, and Anthony Roberts, our Director of Leadership and Innovation, about past and present veterinary innovation, the launch of our innovation hub, Vivet, and why we as regulators are getting involved.

In this episode we talk to Shona McIntyre, one of our Postgraduate Deans, about how graduates can make the most of the Professional Development Phase (PDP). We cover how to involve those in your practice, how best to structure your learning, and how interns in specialist practices can cover the bases. 

In the first ever episode of the RCVS podcast we talk to Professor Stephen May, RCVS President, and Liz Cox, Chair of Veterinary Nursing Council, about their priorities for the year head. 

Download the episode to hear about plans for Brexit, Graduate Outcomes, Schedule 3 and the role of the veterinary nurse. 

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) innovation initiative ViVet has produced a new series of podcasts which aim to help veterinary professionals develop an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset and apply this in their everyday practice.

Developed as part of our ViVet initiative and designed to ensure veterinary professionals are at the centre of innovation in the animal health sector. 

Episode 6 -

Stop talking, start doing. Identifying the actions to establish a successful, impactful innovation program. Brings the previous episodes together to create the roadmap for the innovation journey, and being able to measure the progress that is being made.

The six podcasts are presented by Harvey Wade, Founder and Managing Director of innovation consultancy Innovate21 which aims to help businesses, organisations and sectors embed innovation within their plans and strategies.

RCVS ViVet Podcast's can of course be counted towards your CPD targets if they align with your objectives for the year.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) innovation initiative ViVet has produced a new series of podcasts which aim to help veterinary professionals develop an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset and apply this in their everyday practice.

Developed as part of our ViVet initiative and designed to ensure veterinary professionals are at the centre of innovation in the animal health sector. 

Episode 5 -

Creating supportive cultures. What are the outcomes and behaviours needed to create an innovative environment? Exploring what culture is needed to provide the right conditions for innovation to thrive and what behaviours support this environment. 

The six podcasts are presented by Harvey Wade, Founder and Managing Director of innovation consultancy Innovate21 which aims to help businesses, organisations and sectors embed innovation within their plans and strategies.

RCVS ViVet Podcast's can of course be counted towards your CPD targets if they align with your objectives for the year.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) innovation initiative ViVet has produced a new series of podcasts which aim to help veterinary professionals develop an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset and apply this in their everyday practice.

Developed as part of our ViVet initiative and designed to ensure veterinary professionals are at the centre of innovation in the animal health sector. 

Episode 4 -

Navigating the current environment. What currently stops or hinders ways how common barriers can be overcome. Exploring how innovation progress is hampered in an organisation and how common barriers can be overcome.

The six podcasts are presented by Harvey Wade, Founder and Managing Director of innovation consultancy Innovate21 which aims to help businesses, organisations and sectors embed innovation within their plans and strategies.

RCVS ViVet Podcast's can of course be counted towards your CPD targets if they align with your objectives for the year.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) innovation initiative ViVet has produced a new series of podcasts which aim to help veterinary professionals develop an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset and apply this in their everyday practice.

Developed as part of our ViVet initiative and designed to ensure veterinary professionals are at the centre of innovation in the animal health sector. 

Episode 3 -

Near and far-sighted. How to create success both today and for tomorrow. The importance of having different innovation horizons to both improve today’s organisation and create the future organisation that will be successful.

The six podcasts are presented by Harvey Wade, Founder and Managing Director of innovation consultancy Innovate21 which aims to help businesses, organisations and sectors embed innovation within their plans and strategies.

RCVS ViVet Podcast's can of course be counted towards your CPD targets if they align with your objectives for the year.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) innovation initiative ViVet has produced a new series of podcasts which aim to help veterinary professionals develop an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset and apply this in their everyday practice.

Developed as part of our ViVet initiative and designed to ensure veterinary professionals are at the centre of innovation in the animal health sector. 

Episode 2 -

An enabler, not an outcome. A tool to create the desired future. Innovation must be aligned to vision, and being clear what it needs to achieve. Being it purpose-led ensures a better chance of innovation success. 

The six podcasts are presented by Harvey Wade, Founder and Managing Director of innovation consultancy Innovate21 which aims to help businesses, organisations and sectors embed innovation within their plans and strategies.

RCVS ViVet Podcast's can of course be counted towards your CPD targets if they align with your objectives for the year.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) innovation initiative ViVet has produced a new series of podcasts which aim to help veterinary professionals develop an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset and apply this in their everyday practice.

Developed as part of our ViVet initiative and designed to ensure veterinary professionals are at the centre of innovation in the animal health sector. 

Episode 1 -

Diverse mindsets needed. The need to collaborate to achieve better outcomes. Innovation is not an individual activity, a team is needed to provide thought diversity, missing skills and support when the journey is hard. 

The six podcasts are presented by Harvey Wade, Founder and Managing Director of innovation consultancy Innovate21 which aims to help businesses, organisations and sectors embed innovation within their plans and strategies.

RCVS ViVet Podcast's can of course be counted towards your CPD targets if they align with your objectives for the year.

In this episode of the RCVS Podcast we talk to some of the members of the RCVS Ethics Review Panel (ERP). The ERP is a permanently established sub-committee reporting to the RCVS Standards Committee - looking at ethical review of practice-based research.  Listen to this episode to learn more about ERP, what it does and how it came about, and hear from members of the panel.

Summary

In this episode of The RCVS Podcast, ‘Research with Purpose: An RCVS Perspective’, the RCVS Team discuss various topics related to the veterinary profession, including the importance of workforce initiatives, insights from research, and why engagement is the key to progress. They explore the dynamics of vet retention, migration trends, and the myths surrounding the veterinary workforce. The conversation also touches on historical perspectives from figures like James Herriot and emphasises the need for continuous engagement and participation in research to inform future work.

Got a question about the podcast? Email podcast@rcvs.org.uk 

The full transcript is available to view on our website: Research with Purpose: An RCVS Perspective - Professionals

Useful links

RCVS Workforce Ambitions Revisited – information on the Workforce project can be accessed here: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/events/workforce-ambitions-sessions/

RCVS latest news: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/news/

RCVS upcoming events: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/events/

In our latest podcast, the conversation delves into veterinary regulation, focusing on the role of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the importance of legislative reform, and the future of veterinary nursing. Our speakers discuss the need for mandatory practice standards and the potential expansion of the regulatory framework to include a broader range of veterinary professionals. We speak about the importance of public assurance in the veterinary professions and the ongoing efforts to make sure regulation better suits the modern veterinary professions. 

For more information on the latest RCVS news stories, please visit the RCVS News & Views page here: News & views - Professionals

For our latest RCVS events, please keep an eye on the RCVS Events page: Events and meetings - Professionals

RCVS podcast page (where full transcript of the episode is available) Podcasts - Professionals

Link to WhatsApp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb78yutE50UlFWxf4h07

Got a question about the podcast? Email podcast@rcvs.org.uk 

In our latest podcast, we discuss reasonable adjustments in the veterinary professions, summing up the work from our recent ‘Let’s Talk Adjustments’ campaign.

The conversation introduces what reasonable adjustments are, the laws surrounding them, and why the campaign was needed.

We then discuss the importance of reasonable adjustments in the workplace – including the personal experiences of our guest, Jenny Seward MRCVS – a small animal vet and clinical director who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 15 years ago. Jenny then goes on to speak about how she now approaches reasonable adjustments from a leadership position, and the importance of opening up conversations with colleagues.

All resources from out Let’s Talk Adjustments campaign can be found on the campaign page: Reasonable Adjustments campaign - Professionals

Got a question about the campaign? Email advancement@rcvs.org.uk

For more information on the latest RCVS news stories, please visit the RCVS News & Views page here: News & views - Professionals

RCVS podcast page (where full transcript of the episode is available) Podcasts - Professionals

Link to WhatsApp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb78yutE50UlFWxf4h07

Got a question about the podcast? Email podcast@rcvs.org.uk 

With the deadline for Defra’s consultation on a new Veterinary Surgeons Act (VSA) drawing ever closer, we’ve been chatting to our veterinary nursing colleagues about what this change could mean for the veterinary professions from a veterinary nursing perspective.

The consultation presents a pivotal opportunity to transform the way the sector works for the better - successful reform could help protect professional titles, expand roles, and modernise our regulatory framework, including around licensing and practice standards, further enhancing animal health and welfare and public trust.

In our latest podcast episode ‘Legislative reform – a veterinary nursing perspective’ find out more about why this consultation is so important and why your voice matters from RCVS Chair of Veterinary Nurses Council, Belinda Andrews-Jones RVN, RCVS Head of Insights, Policy and Public Affairs, Ben Myring, and RCVS Director of Veterinary Nursing, Julie Dugmore RVN.

Julie will then be joined by RCVS Veterinary Nursing Progression and Development Lead, Jill Macdonald RVN, to explore the work of our VN Vision project, helping to shape the future of team-based veterinary healthcare.

Useful links

Find out more and respond to Defra’s VSA consultation: VSA reform - time for change | Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

Find out more about our VN Vision project: VN Vision | Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons or email vnvision@rcvs.org.uk

Find out about our latest news stories: News and views | Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

Attend our upcoming events: Events | Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

Got a question about the podcast or an idea for future content? Email us at podcast@rcvs.org.uk

Navigating change can be exciting, but it doesn’t come without challenges.

Our latest podcast is part one of a two-part special on our ‘Next Steps’ project, which aims to develop a range of resources to support key professional transitions for those returning to the professions after having children, those returning from a career break more generally, and those moving into managerial positions for the first time.

In this first episode, Angharad Belcher, RCVS Director for the Advancement of the Professions, speaks with Lauren Davis, a vet turned pet sleep expert and business founder, live from the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons Congress in Birmingham. In the chat, Lauren shares her personal journey and offers honest insights into navigating the emotional, physical, and workplace challenges of returning to work after having children. Their conversation includes practical advice for employers, managers, and employees alike.

In addition, we bring you the latest news from across the College and our Senior Vice-President, Linda Belton, delves into greater detail about the recent outcome of the Competition and Markets Authority’s investigation into the veterinary services for household pets market.

Resources:

• Discover more on our latest news stories
• Visit our Workforce page to find out more about the Next Steps project and sign up to our events (located under the ‘Get involved’ section)
• Explore other College events
• Check out our free CPD courses on the RCVS Academy
• Got a question about the podcast or an idea for future content? Email us at podcast@rcvs.org.uk

In our latest podcast, part two of a two part special on our ‘Next Steps’ project, we’re joined by Miles Russell, Finance and Operations Director at the George Vet Group, current board member and past president of the Veterinary Management Group and former crossbench peer in the House of Lords. In this chat, Miles chats about his experience as, in his words, a reluctant leader, his journey into leadership, the value of problem solving and curiosity, the importance of mentorship and the challenges and rewards of leading teams in an ever-changing industry.

We’ll then be joined by Jen Ayers RVN, head of our free digital online learning platform, the RCVS Academy. Nearing its fourth birthday, we chat about why the Academy was developed, the wide range of on-demand courses available to support veterinary professionals, and what exciting new developments the team have got in the pipeline.

Useful links

• Discover more on our latest news stories
• Visit our Workforce page
• Join our Next Steps: Moving into management event
• Explore other College events
• Check out our free CPD courses on the RCVS Academy
• Contact the Academy Team on academy@rcvs.org.uk
• Got a question about the podcast or an idea for future content? Email us at podcast@rcvs.org.uk

In this extended episode, we explore an issue that matters deeply across the veterinary professions: suicide prevention. 

Please note: this episode will be centred around suicide. Please remember that if you are impacted by anything discussed, help is available to you. You can contact veterinary mental health charity, Vetlife, who have a confidential helpline available 24 hours a day, seven days a week as well as an email service. You can also contact charities outside of the veterinary sector such as Samaritans and Papyrus – details for all of which can be found below. 

From the new 2026 Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) requirements - requiring all practices (including small animal, farm and equine) to have a suicide prevention plan in place - to practical steps practices can take right now, this conversation is all about making support more visible, conversations less intimidating, and workplaces safer for everyone. 

You’ll hear thoughtful insights from experts working across the field, alongside real examples of how leadership, training, and culture can make a meaningful difference. We also talk about the role of stigma, what good prevention planning actually looks like, and why talking openly about mental health is such an important part of protecting people. 

Speakers: 

Angharad Belcher – RCVS Director for the Advancement of the Professions, and Mind Matters Initiative 

Alice Duvernois MRCVS – RCVS Lead PSS Assessor 

Peter Kelly – senior psychologist and leading suicide prevention expert 

Dr Rosie Allister MRCVS – consultant manager for Vetlife helpline and suicide prevention and mental health researcher 

James Glass MRCVS – suicide prevention researcher 

What we cover in this episode 

• Why suicide prevention is now part of the Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) 

• How practices can approach the new requirements without feeling overwhelmed 

• What an effective suicide prevention plan should include 

• The role of leadership, team culture, and psychological safety 

• Why access to means, trauma exposure, and organisational support all matter 

• How to talk about suicide responsibly and reduce stigma 

• Practical resources, training, and support available to veterinary teams 

Resources 

• Vetlife 

• Samaritans 

• Papyrus  

• RCVS Mind Matters suicide prevention in the veterinary workplace – links to the RCVS suicide prevention toolkit for veterinary workplaces - a practical guide to meeting the PSS suicide prevention standard and related suicide prevention requirements in UK veterinary workplaces - and a link to a webinar explaining how to create your own practice suicide prevention plan. 

• RCVS Academy courses – free to access for veterinary professionals 

• Vetlife suicide postvention guidance  

• British Standard BS 30480 on Workplace Suicide Prevention 

• RCVS Mind Matters applied mental health science series guides 

• Samaritans media guidelines for responsible reporting on suicide 

• World Health Organisation (WHO) suicide prevention  

• RCVS Mind Matters reasonable adjustments campaign 

• The Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) Model of Suicidal Behaviour 

• Time, Space, Compassion- supporting people experiencing suicidal crisis: introductory guide – Scottish Government 

Timestamps: 

00:00 - Introduction to the podcast and focus on suicide prevention in veterinary 

05:45 - Explanation of the RCVS Practice Standard Scheme (PSS) and its levels 

16:23 - What constitutes a suicide prevention plan and how to implement it effectively 

23:57 - The critical role of leadership, culture, and open conversations 

33:06 - Other available resources: Vetlife, RCVS Academy courses, RCVS Mind Matters guides and other support  

41:32 - The importance of responsible discourse and avoiding stigmatisation 

49:54 - Models like IMV (O’Connor, 2011) to understand the complexities of suicidal behaviour 

55:08 - The role of leadership and organisational culture in prevention 

66:29 - Tips for fostering a safety culture where mental health challenges can be openly discussed 

75:38 - Closing remarks: resources, upcoming events, and CPD recognition