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Hiring vets from abroad
Dr Sainz-Pardo shared his views about Brexit and what it might mean for the future of the veterinary profession.

Delegates learn how Brexit might influence employment

“The future of the profession lies in mastering methods that ensure staff retention and their development," said Dr Luis Sainz-Pardo, speaking this morning (28 January) at VPMA and SPVS Congress in Newport. "We have plenty of vets, what we need to do is stop losing them."

Dr Sainz-Pardo is the managing director of Vet Abroad, a mentoring and advisory service that helps overseas vets prepare for UK employment. During the session, he shared his views about Brexit and what it might mean for the future of the veterinary profession.

Speaking to delegates, Dr Sainz-Pardo said that it is challenges such as Brexit that make us reflect and help us to appreciate what we could be losing. "I think all challenges or changes lead to better things," he said. "I think it's going to bring the profession really close."

Dr Sainz Pardo believes that, with Brexit, we are going to see fewer overseas vets entering the profession. Indeed, research already shows that there has been a drop in new registrations and applications to UK universities.

"People don't go where they are not wanted or welcome - and there are other countries with a lot of employment that are welcoming people," he said. "The only solution to this problem is to retain people in the profession and to make them useful to us."

During the session, Dr Sainz-Pardo looked at the benefits and pitfalls of hiring vets from abroad and called on practice managers to review their mentoring schemes.

A series of testimonials revealed that many vets who come to work in the UK fear not knowing what steps to take. However, with the help of their mentors, they were able to overcome their fears and understand what their clients expected of them.

"From my experience I can certainly say that mentoring is the key to a successful professional relationship between a foreign vet and their UK employer," said one participant.

Dr Sainz-Pardo has over 20 years experience as an employee, employer and practice owner in the UK.

Vet Abroad was one of the first organisations in the UK to receive the BSAVA Standard and was later given Tier 2 accreditation by the RCVS. 

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.