Around 1,400 professionals have shared their views so far.

Veterinary professionals are being encouraged to take part in a ground-breaking survey on disability and chronic illness, conducted on behalf of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and British Veterinary Chronic Illness Support (BVCIS).

The reserachers want to hear from registered veterinary surgeons and nurses as well as veterinary students and student nurses. It is not necessary to have a disability or chronic illness to take part, as the survey is intended to record the thoughts and experiences of people from across the whole veterinary community.

It is hoped that the survey, the first of its kind, will improve understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities and chronic illnesses working in the veterinary sector, allowing steps to be taken to offer better support and make the professions more accessible.

The survey opened on 4 May 2023 and has so far received around 1,400 responses.

A 2019 RCVS survey found that around 6.7 per cent of veterinary surgeons and 7.4 per cent of veterinary nurses have a disability or medical condition that limits the work they can do, but it is thought that the true figure is higher.

Angharad Belcher, RCVS director for the advancement of the professions, said: “All of our experiences, both in personal life and working life, are shaped by those around us. This is why we are calling on individuals from across the entire veterinary community to complete our survey – the views of disabled and chronically ill colleagues and students are instrumental to this work, but it’s about building a community which is safe, understanding, willing to learn, and that can be inclusive for all. So, if you are not disabled, chronically ill, mentally ill or neurodivergent, but are working as a veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse, or are studying to do so, we need to hear from you too.
 
“This survey is the first of its kind and it is important that we make the most of this opportunity to hear from as many people as possible, so that together we can create the best educational and working environments possible for everyone – environments which are free from prejudice and allow everyone to work to the best of their abilities.”

The survey, which closes at midnight on Friday, 16 June 2023, can be completed online.