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Graduates have concerns over EMS, survey finds
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Many graduates said they did not feel EMS placements helped them gain experience of out-of-hours and weekend work.
Majority of graduates feel EMS is "essential" but have some reservations

Findings from a recent RCVS survey show that veterinary graduates have a number of concerns over extra mural studies (EMS), although the majority feel it is an "essential" part of their degree.

In total, 287 graduates from 2012 and 2013 took part in the survey. Of these, 95.6 per cent said they felt EMS was a vital part of their degree.

The graduates said it benefitted them by exposing them to a variety of working practices and professional and clinical skills.

A large number of graduates (42.9 per cent) said they did not find EMS placements useful for gaining experience of out-of-hours and weekend work, however.

A number of other concerns about EMS were also raised, including the variable quality of placements. A significant number of respondents said they were disappointed with the amount of hands-on experience they gained from their placement.

Respondents also complained about a lack of farm and mixed animal practices available for placements. Other problems included the cost of travel and accommodation.

RCVS says it launched the survey earlier this year to find out how well EMS placements are working and whether graduates felt they gained knowledge and experience that they could not have gained from their core studies.

RCVS head of education Christine Warman said: "What is clear is that the current system is working well and there is no need for an immediate review or urgent action.

"Most graduates found the experience gained on placements useful for their studies and find that EMS sets them up well for their first job in practice.

"However, there are a number of issues that we will keep a watching brief over and we plan to repeat the survey every two years in order to monitor these."

Visit the RCVS website for the full results of the survey.

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FIVP launches CMA remedies survey

News Story 1
 FIVP has shared a survey, inviting those working in independent practice to share their views on the CMA's proposed remedies.

The Impact Assessment will help inform the group's response to the CMA, as it prepares to submit further evidence to the Inquiry Group. FIVP will also be attending a hearing in November.

Data will be anonymised and used solely for FIVP's response to the CMA. The survey will close on Friday, 31 October 2025. 

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News Shorts
CMA to host webinar exploring provisional decisions

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to host a webinar for veterinary professionals to explain the details of its provisional decisions, released on 15 October 2025.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, 29 October 2025 from 1.00pm to 2.00pm.

Officials will discuss the changes which those in practice may need to make if the provisional remedies go ahead. They will also share what happens next with the investigation.

The CMA will be answering questions from the main parties of the investigation, as well as other questions submitted ahead of the webinar.

Attendees can register here before Wednesday, 29 October at 11am. Questions must be submitted before 10am on 27 October.

A recording of the webinar will be accessible after the event.