Supply of vets and RVNs set to increase, RCVS predicts
“{A]ccording to this model the future picture for the professions looks much better in most areas of veterinary practice” – Lizzie Lockett.
The numbers of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses are set to increase in the coming years, according to a new workforce model published by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
The findings of the report, created by the Institute for Employment Studies on behalf of the RCVS, suggest that recent workforce problems might be set to ease in the long-term.
The benefits would particularly be seen in clinical practice, where the supply of veterinary surgeons is predicted to increase from a total of 91 per cent in 2023 to almost 99 per cent in 2035.
However, the report did also suggest that there might still be shortages in the number of veterinary surgeons working in government public health roles. While the supply of veterinary surgeons in such roles met 79 per cent of demand in 2023, the model predicts that this will have fallen slightly to 78 per cent by 2035.
By 2035, the model predicts that the percentage of veterinary surgeons working in clinical practice will stand at 83 per cent, compared to 80 per cent in 2023.
Lizzie Lockett, RCVS chief executive officer, said: “In 2021, there were clear concerns about there being a workforce crisis within the veterinary professions, and while that certainly seemed to be the case, and is likely to continue to be so in the short-term, according to this model the future picture for the professions looks much better in most areas of veterinary practice.
“However, government service/public health looks to be an area where there is still a significant shortfall in supply, which is concerning considering the importance of government vets in food safety, disease prevention and international trade and we are willing to continue to work with government to find ways to remedy this shortfall.”
The model also predicts an increase in the number of registered veterinary nurses, with the number predicted to exceed demand next year and reach a surplus of 22 per cent by 2035.
However, the RCVS has said that it believes the number of veterinary nurse roles available could rise as the number of RVNs increases.
Ms Lockett added: “We are aware that there may be some concerns about the implications of the model, particularly concerning the potential oversupply of veterinary nurses.
“While we stand by the robustness of the data, demography is not destiny, and with the planned enhancement of the veterinary nurse role, and the likelihood of suppressed demand due to prior shortages, it is likely that the number of veterinary nursing roles will expand to encompass the number of veterinary nurses available to work in it.”
The full report can be read here.
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