Workforce summit set for end of November

Stakeholders from across the sector will meet at a workforce summit on 30 November to discuss the staffing crisis affecting the professions.

The RCVS announced in September it was planning a one-day summit of key organisations as practices across the country grapple with increasing demand for services, staff shortages and issues retaining team members.

The college said existing problems had been exacerbated by the pandemic, Brexit and a COVID-19-fuelled increase in pet ownership.

Three Rs

Focus for the summit will be the “three Rs” of recruitment, retention and return to work, and for its part, the college last month said it had already been in discussions with overseas vet schools over potentially providing additional graduates. It is also looking at ways to encourage anyone who has left practice back to the front line temporarily.

Powered by ViVet, the summit will be preceded by “insight sessions” open to all vets, VNs and practice managers to share their views and experiences.

Impact

Lizzie Lockett, chief executive of the RCVS, said: “We want to ensure as many voices as possible are included in this discussion via our insight sessions, not least because of the profound impact the current situation is having on all aspects of the profession, right across the UK.

“We hope these sessions will help us to identify the key issues and challenges affecting the veterinary workforce from those who experience them every day. This information will be used alongside an upcoming survey and additional data we are collating to gauge the extent of the problem, to inform the discussions at the summit, meaning the day itself can focus on finding solutions.”

Insight session

Vets, VNs and practice managers can register interest in attending the insight session online.

The workforce summit itself is at The View, the Royal College of Surgeons on 30 November.