FIVP Practice Matters

In this edition we mark that which, by her own admission, is the pinnacle of FIVP Chair RITA DINGWALL'S long and distinguished career in veterinary practice management. Rita was presented with Honorary Associateship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons at the RCVS College Day in Westminster on 4th July 2025 and Practice Matters was there to talk with Rita about how the role of a practice ma...

Please note this episode contains discussions of abuse and animal abuse. Abuse in any form is something we don’t often like to think of, let alone talk about, especially in a professional capacity and for members of a caring profession like veterinary, even just acknowledging that an animal’s injury may be deliberate can be incredibly challenging.  Sadly, there is robust evidence that animals can...

In this episode we meet HELEN SPIEGL from Helen Spiegl Photography who talks about the important considerations when it comes to practice imagery. As a former veterinary nurse and having worked in veterinary sales, Helen is well placed to know what makes pets and owners tick and has won several prestigious awards for her photographs of 'all creatures great and small'. Is your practice website send...

In this episode of the podcast in which Ian Wolstenholme talks with FIGEN MURRAY OBE. Figen lost her son Martyn Hett in the 2017 bombing atrocity at the Ariana Grande concert at Manchester. Since the tragedy Figen has been a prolific campaigner for events venues and businesses of all sizes to be aware of potential threats to life and how to act in those unexpected situations. She has contributed t...

Our guest on Practice Matters is ASHA CLEARWATER - a content coach, publisher and journalist - but perhaps known within the realms of the annual National Pet Month (NPM) as the friendly host behind the many 'NPM Live' online events. As the 2025 ends (although as you'll hear, the initiative, in truth, runs year-round) we catch up with Asha to learn about what makes the veterinary sector's longest-r...

The Animal Cancer Trust, founded in 2002, provides vital support to both pet owners and the veterinary team. In this episode we meet the CEO, DR VICKI ADAMS and one of the many volunteers at the charity, JOE FLANAGAN, and learn about their valuable work. For more information visit: https://www.animalcancertrustcharity.co.uk/

An opportunity at BSAVA Congress and Expo 2025 to catch up with JACK PEPLOE from Veterinary IT Services, following the launch of a brand new CPD stream this year, looking at how practices can improve their day-to-day efficiencies in many different ways. Plus - how secure are your practice data systems? Jack (who is also a certified ethical hacker) offers up some advice. Thoughts and comments? As e...

A sort of tale of two 'VUK's' in this episode of Practice Matters as we firstly get a snapshot of VUK (Verbund UnabhängigerKleintierkliniken) in Germany - a similar organisation to FIVP which supports independent vet practices there. We chat with EBERHARD HOCK and OLIVER VOLIN about the impact that corporate attention is making to the many small clinics there. We also meet Vetlife UK ambassador OS...

With client communication figuring large on the list of likely 'remedies' by the CMA, this edition of Practice Matters looks at some of the digital tools which many independent practices are utilising. We catch up with VETS DIGITAL, VIDIVET and PETS APP for their top-tips around social and website media, telehealth and online booking services. We'd love to hear about how inventive your business is...

In this episode vet and entrepreneur DR KATIE FORD explains coaching and mentoring and how it can be a major asset to the whole practice team. We also meet executive coach MYLES DOWNEY. Will he be able to convince you that YOU are a genius? For more information visit https://www.vetempowered.com

We return to SPVS Congress 2025 for this latest edition of the podcast and find out about Employee Owned Trusts with two practices who have approached things from different angles. Heart Vets Cardiology Referrals ' DAVE DICKSON and JOANNE HARRIS, together with Pennard Vets ' CEO MATT FLANN help to de-mystify this growth area. Guide to Employee Owned Trusts With the increase in new independent star...

The theme of the recent SPVS (Society of Practicing Veterinary Surgeons) 2025 Congress was 'Connect, Collaborate and Progress' and this edition of FIVP Practice Matters turns the spotlight on our large animal practice colleagues. We catch up with DR OWEN ATKINSON, owner of Dairy Veterinary Consultancy and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Cattle Health and Production who takes us on a journey of chang...

In this episode vet and entrepreneur DR KATIE FORD turns our attention to personal finances amongst vet teams. Why is it taboo? How can finances affect your career journey? Lots of practical advice can be found at https://vetyou.co.uk Don't forget you can sent us a voice message to 07709 836 865 - we would love to hear from your practice about this or any other subject.

What does the word 'sustainability' mean to your practice? In this edition, we welcome back Onswitch founder ALISON LAMBERT to discuss what a sustainable practice should be considering, as we progress through a forthcoming year of changes in the veterinary space.

In this episode we catch up with a member practice - Westport Veterinary Clinic in Edinburgh and their Clinic Manager FIONA LEATHERS RVN. As one of the participants in the pilot scheme of the BVA Great Workplaces Scheme, Fiona runs through the accreditation process to hopefully tempt more practices to join. We also touch on the area of 'Fear-Free' veterinary practice. Ten years after it was launch...

In this edition we celebrate the launch of a new exotics clinic right next door to a zoo and also look at diversity and inclusivity in practice. Our guests are DR KEVIN EATWELL, the UK's only triple-boarded exotics specialist and his nurse colleague at Fife Exotic Vets, ERIKA FEILBERG RVN. Take a listen - truly a diverse episode.

It's a slightly extended edition this time as we meet three guests who all have an interest in educating and supporting pet carers and veterinary professionals in the prevention and treatment of resistant bacteria. Jill Moss is the founder of the charity The Bella Moss Foundation and joining her are two of the charity’s trustees – Mike Brampton - author, managing director, lecturer, entrepreneur,...

We welcome back Onswitch CEO ALISON LAMBERT who has spent the past two decades in the veterinary consumer marketplace. So what, in 2024, is "the client experience"? What are the consequences if its ignored? What are the benefits of getting it "spot on"? This episode is packed full of practical advice - enjoy!

A bonus edition of the podcast looking at the 2024 BVNA Congress theme about 'progression', in which Ian Wolstenholme talks with KIRSTY GWYNNE about exciting developments on the Veterinary Care Assistant (VCA) role in practice, JILL MACDONALD provides some insight into the VN Vision research, BEN MYRING the RCVS Policy and Public Affairs Manager explains how vet nursing statutory regulation is und...

In the episode vet and entrepreneur DR KATIE FORD returns to chat about how practices can refresh that most important of client and clinic communication tools - social media. Which platforms work and what should you be featuring? Katie provides some thought-provoking hints and tips about what works plus the protocols and policies that practices might need to maximise the effectiveness of the vario...

In this episode Ian Wolstenholme talks with guest STEVE HOWARD, Head of Clinical Services at PDSA and Secretary General of RUMA CA&E, about this year's Antibiotic Amnesty. Now in its third year, the initiative once again takes place throughout November, and provides an opportunity for clients to return unwanted antibiotics to practices and learn more about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) an...

It's a welcome return to the podcast to DR ERNIE WARD - America's Pet Advocate, author, broadcaster, worldwide speaker and journalist. Ernie Ward graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and has spent his career blending healthy lifestyles and medicine. He is the founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention and is internationally known for improving...

A recently published study in Vet Times by Dr Neil Forbes BVetMed, DECZM, FRCVS, demonstrates that now is the time to take the subject of veterinary practice hygiene very seriously, if we want to avoid "the silent pandemic". In this bonus edition of Practice Matters, Ian Wolstenholme is joined by the author, who is a Trustee of the Bella Moss Foundation, to look at how practices of every...

In this episode, Ian Wolstenholme catches up with FIVP member JOHN TAYLOR from new independent practice Taylor Vets of Brackley in Northamptonshire. Why the title "Independent 2.0"? Well, John is one of those raft of veterinarians who set up a practice soon after qualifying, later sold it, but then realised that the whole experience provided him with a second opportunity to show the true...

No, we're not analysing canine treats (maybe a thought for another pod) but looking at the significance of the good old telephone in independent practice. Who else better to provide some "tell it as it is" food for thought, backed up with latest data, than the founder of Onswitch - ALISON LAMBERT. A Yorkshire farmer’s daughter, Alison qualified from Liverpool University in 1989. She...