RCVS Knowledge and The University of Nottingham have announced a unique collaboration to build a QI model for veterinary practices.

The model is set to improve efficiency and provide better patient outcomes.

Two leading veterinary organisations have announced a collaboration to create a bespoke, evidence-based model for Quality Improvement (QI).

Veterinary charity RCVS Knowledge and the University of Nottingham aim to create a QI model that provides a proven return-on-investment for veterinary practices and animal owners.

It is the first time that two leading organisations in veterinary QI have attempted to create a model specific to veterinary care, which will eventually be made available to all practices, regardless of type of specialism.

The project will be led by experienced veterinary surgeon Jocelyn Turner, who has a background in shelter medicine and interest in evidence-based interventions to improve welfare outcomes.

Jocelyn said: “I’m looking forward to working with colleagues from across the sector to develop a model that will make Quality Improvement more accessible, and show that it can have a real economic benefit. 

“We know that there is increased demand for veterinary teams to provide more efficient and effective care while maintaining high levels of animal welfare, improving team welfare and client satisfaction. Over recent years an increasing number of veterinary teams have embraced QI techniques. 

“Now is the time to take this to the next level by creating an evidence-based model for QI, which can be applied systematically in any veterinary setting.”

The three-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), funded by UKRI Innovate UK, will see the team test the model against a common practice problem and use robust methodology to measure the cost of making the changes against the benefit it brings.

The team will then refine the model before making it available to help practices tackle any area they may wish to improve.

Dr Marnie Brennan, associate professor in epidemiology at the University of Nottingham, said: “We are delighted to be forging this unique partnership with RCVS Knowledge that provides an opportunity to develop bespoke training to assist veterinary professionals in their quest to deliver quality veterinary care for better patient outcomes, and more efficient and sustainable practice.

“Our team is looking forward to helping build a rigorously designed and tested model that is tailored to the needs of the veterinary professions.”

The project is currently seeking veterinary professionals to help co-design the model and test it in practice. If you are interested in taking part, please register your interest at rcvsknowledge.org.uk