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RCVS Council approves career pathways project
“These are the early pages of a very exciting new chapter for veterinary clinical careers” – Dr Kate Richards.
Plans aim to improve career options for vets.

RCVS Council has approved a set of proposals that aim to expand and diversify the career options available in the veterinary profession.

Three workstreams were agreed at the council’s meeting on Thursday, 9 November.

Firstly, the council approved the development of a new training programme over the next two years that will lead to the creation of a new Specialist in Primary Care status. In line with the specialist training in other clinical areas, the training for this new status will take five years to complete.

Secondly, the RCVS will develop guidance for both the profession and the public on the different clinical career statuses of veterinary surgeons, outlining the different focuses and responsibilities of each role.

Thirdly, the RCVS will identify the different ways veterinary surgeons can access the training needed to obtain RCVS Specialist status. As part of this, the RCVS will look at how to widen access to include training models which are more accessible from primary care practice and for people at different stages of their career and life.

A similar process to develop the career pathways for veterinary nurses is now being considered.

Dr Kate Richards MRCVS, chair of the RCVS Education Committee, said: “These exciting and progressive proposals are visionary as far as the career and development structure of the veterinary clinical profession is concerned.
 
“It means there will be new prospects for those in general practice and those who want to achieve Specialist status by different means, as well as a more defined career structure for the profession that will be clearer to the profession and general public alike. With around 75-80% of veterinary professionals working in clinical practice this project will deliver a substantial positive impact.
 
“These are the early pages of a very exciting new chapter for veterinary clinical careers, and we will be asking for your help to write it, as we will be holding a number of consultations in the coming years, including on the programme for Specialist in Primary Care and the definition of clinical roles.”

Image © RCVS

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."