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RCVS launches Surveys of the Professions 2024
The Surveys of the Professions take place every four to five years.
Vet surgeons and nurses will be able to have their say.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has opened its Surveys of the Professions for 2024, inviting both veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to share their career experiences and ambitions.

The results of these surveys will be used to inform RCVS’ future strategies and policies for 2025-2029.

RCVS’ Surveys of the Professions consists of two separate questionnaires, one for veterinary surgeons and one for veterinary nurses, which can be taken online. Participation is voluntary, and the questionnaires will remain open until 5pm on Friday 16 February.

The surveys include a range of qualitative and quantitative questions, asking participants about their typical working day, career aspirations and the state of their physical and mental wellbeing.

Responses to the survey will not only be used by RCVS for its strategies, but are also shared with the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), its agencies and other stakeholders and veterinary bodies. All responses are confidential and anonymous.

The surveys can be completed by veterinary professionals from a variety of backgrounds, including those who are working overseas, retired or are no longer practising. Veterinary nurses who are in their Period of Supervised Practice are also eligible to take part.

They will be managed by the Institute of Employment Studies, who will produce a report of the project’s key findings after the survey has closed.

The Surveys of the Professions take place every four to five years, with the most recent study conducted in 2019.

The results of this survey contributed to the formation of RCVS’ current strategy. This has included its work to become a ‘compassionate regulator’, with its focus on the veterinary workforce and its Mind Matters initiative.

This year’s survey is currently live, and email invites have been sent to registered veterinary professionals.

Lizzie Lockett, RCVS CEO, said:  “Our Surveys of the Professions are not just a useful and interesting snapshot of the veterinary professions at a particular moment in time, but are really consequential in terms of what we do with the results.”

She added: “Please don’t miss out on having your say, and a huge thank you for taking the time to support this important work.”

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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.