The RCVS Podcast

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. You can contact veterinary mental health charity, Vetlife , who have a confidential helpline available 24 hours a day, seven days a week...

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 le...

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...

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 prot...

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 gu...

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...

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. Th...

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.   

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 lear...

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....

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....

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....

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....

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....

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....

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.

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 t...

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,...

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 stu...

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...

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 mos...

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 r...