RCVS unveils Workforce Action Plan

The RCVS has released its new Workforce Action Plan which it hopes will help the sector tackle the problem of its own three Rs – recruitment, retention and return.

The 60-page document, published on the college’s website, sets out seven main ambitions for the industry, together with some of the actions that it hopes will make them a reality.

It also highlights actions already being taken by other organisations, including the BVA, BVNA, SPVS and employers.

‘Suite of actions’

But, in an introductory message, RCVS president Melissa Donald wrote: “This is not a top-down directive from the regulator.

“This is a suite of actions for all members of the professions to take note of and comment on, and where possible, bring into being in your workplace.

“No one individual or organisation can turn the situation around, but if we all commit to enabling change and creating a culture where this is embraced – whether in a small or large capacity – I am confident that we can make positive progress and see lasting change.”

Ambitions

The plan has been drawn up following the launch of the college’s workforce project last autumn and the inaugural Workforce Summit it hosted in November 2021.

The ambitions, with some of their key actions, are:

• Shape leaders at all levels, including promotion of inclusive everyday leadership, embedded consideration of equality, diversity and inclusion at all career stages, plus greater opportunities for free, accessible learning.
• Confidence, culture and recognition, including creation of a welcoming and supportive environment for the whole veterinary team, mental health support signposting and awareness.
• Greater responsibility for veterinary nurses, including clear career pathways and securing legislative change that gives VNs greater autonomy and responsibility.
• Welcoming a modern way of working, including return-to-work support for both clinical and non-clinical veterinary roles, stronger relations with overseas industry bodies and encouraging innovation to tackle challenges.
• General practice – a chosen pathway, including shared training where appropriate between vets and vet nurses at undergraduate level, plus modelling against other professions, such as human medicine.
• An attractive career for everyone, including those who have left, including promoting direct RCVS accreditation of overseas veterinary degrees, an improved EMS policy, encouraging employers in re-entry processes, plus welcoming people back after career breaks.
• Improving client interaction and communication, including development of clearer explanations of the veterinary role, and the scope of vet and vet nurse roles to the public.

Interactive events

RCVS junior vice-president Sue Paterson said the plan aims to enable everyone within the sector to prioritise the most suitable actions for their circumstances.

She added: “We will continue to review the actions in terms of what has been successful, what can be improved and where we can collaborate.

“In 2023, we will also be holding a series of online interactive events for members of the professions, and those who work in veterinary organisations, looking at each ambition in more detail so that the conversation and planning can develop around how they embed the actions in their own workplaces.”

The full plan is available via the RCVS website.