FIVP Practice Matters

Welcome back to Practice Matters, the FIVP podcast exploring the real issues and innovations shaping independent veterinary practice today.

What if providing specialist-level care didn't require sending patients miles away to unfamiliar tertiary hospitals? Today, we're exploring a model that brings expert oncology care directly into the primary clinic, keeping pets in familiar surroundings while supporting local teams.

Joining us is SARAH MASON, double board-certified specialist in Medical and Radiation Oncology, FRCVS, and founder of Oncotails. After 15 years in multidisciplinary referral centres, Sarah is shifting the paradigm by collaborating directly with independent practices.

In this episode, we discuss how hybrid specialist support works day-to-day, the profound impact on patient stress, and how shared care empowers primary clinical teams while keeping cases—and revenue—within local practice walls.

As ever, we would love to hear from your practice. Send us a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07709 836865

For further details of Oncotails and the services offered visit:

https://www.oncotails.com/

In this special bonus episode of Practice Matters from the Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP), host Ian travels to Skipton for the grand opening of the Dalehead Veterinary Group’s newest branch practice.

Celebrating 100 years of service in the Yorkshire Dales, Dalehead marks this centenary milestone with an open day celebrating traditional community-centred values alongside modern veterinary care.

Director Peter O'Hagan and SQP Harriet reflect on the practice’s independent ethos, discussing how personal continuity and transparent care foster deep trust amidst widespread scrutiny in the veterinary sector.

Head Veterinary Nurse Catherine shares her 26-year journey with the practice, highlighting the familial bond and client relationships that keep her passionate about her role.

Farm directors Ian Illingworth and Russel Howarth delve into the dynamics of modern farm medicine, highlighting collaborative herd health management and offering inspiring advice for future veterinary graduates considering large animal practice.

The celebration culminates with special guest Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards cutting the official opening ribbon, followed by guided tours and a lively local dog show.

Tune in to explore what makes independent practice thrive!

Welcome to Practice Matters, the podcast from FIVP exploring the trends shaping the future of independent veterinary care.

In this episode, we continue our conversations around Human Factors with guests HELEN SILVER-MCMAHON and MEGAN DAVIS from Being Human, an organisation empowering high-pressure sectors to enhance safety and workplace culture. While clinical excellence is vital, how teams function together ultimately drives patient safety, client trust, and staff retention.

We look at the work that Being Human have conducted around similarities between the veterinary and legal professions. Seems we are not alone!

Whether you run an independent practice or work on the front lines, you'll discover how human factors can transform your team’s performance and daily wellbeing.

If you missed Part 1 of the conversation you can catchup here.  As ever, we'd love to hear from your practice about how you have implemented human factors. Why not send us a voice message to 07709 83 68 65 and be part of the conversation.

For more details about Human Factors visit:Veterinary | Human Factors Training Solutions | Being Human

Welcome to Practice Matters, the podcast from FIVP exploring the trends shaping the future of independent veterinary care. In this episode, we do dive into Human Factors - the crucial intersection of communication, teamwork, decision-making, and wellbeing under pressure.  

While clinical excellence is vital, how teams function together ultimately drives patient safety, client trust, and staff retention.

We’re joined by HELEN SILVER-MCMAHON and MEGAN DAVIS from Being Human, an organisation empowering high-pressure sectors to enhance safety and workplace culture. Together, we discuss what human factors look like in a busy practice, how systems thinking shifts teams away from blame, and actionable ways leaders can foster psychological safety and curb subtle incivility.  Plus, we explore surprising parallels and shared lessons between the veterinary and legal professions.

Whether you run an independent practice or workon the front lines, tune in to discover how human factors can transform your team’s performance and daily wellbeing.

Much to cover over this two-episode special around human factors and, as always, we would love to hear from your practice about how you implement these ideas. 

Why not send us a voice message to 07709 83 68 65 and be part of the conversation.

For more details about Human Factors visit:⁠Veterinary | Human Factors Training Solutions | Being Human

Welcome back to Practice Matters, the FIVP podcast where we explore the ideas, innovations, and frontline experiences helping independent practices thrive!

In this episode, we tackle a major environmental footprint hiding in plain sight within our prep rooms and theatres: anaesthetic gases.

Volatile agents like isoflurane and sevoflurane are potent greenhouse gases, but reducing their impact doesn't have to mean sacrificing patient safety—or your bottom line.

Joining us is VICTORIA PLIMMER, an RVN with a passion for clinical auditing and greener practice and founder of Victoria Plimmer Consultancy. Together, we unpack:

• Debunking the "Cost vs. Green" Myth: How sustainable choices boost profitability.
• Quick Wins: Low-hanging fruit for immediate, low-budget implementation.
• Low-Flow Safety: How to transition safely using essential monitoring tools and capnography.
• Nurse-Led Workflow: Empowering RVNs to lead culture changes and optimize workflows.

Tune in to learn how small, data-driven changes can create a greener, more cost-effective clinic today!

As ever, we would love to hear from your practice – send us a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65

For more information - www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-plimmer-rvn

or VictoriaPlimmer

In this episode of Practice Matters, we sit down with HANNAH GODFREY from VetLed to explore how simulations training is revolutionising team performance in independent veterinary practices.

High-pressure emergencies can easily trigger communication breakdowns, clinical errors, and immense staff stress. Hannahexplains how independent practices can adopt immersive, aviation-style simulations to practice these critical scenarios in a safe, zero-risk environment.

The discussion centres on VetLed's "Train the Trainer" approach, which equips practice leaders with the skills to design realistic emergency scenarios and facilitate constructive, blame-free debriefs.

Listeners will learn how understanding "Human Factors"—the science of how teams interact under stress—can transform everyday clinical workflows, case reviews, and practice culture.

Tune in to discover how your independent practice can adopt simulations training to build a highly resilient, collaborative team, elevate patient safety, and significantly protect staff wellbeing.

As ever, we'd love to hear from your practice. Send us a voice note, via WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65

https://www.vetled.co.uk/courses-services/supporting-your-team-to-perform-under-pressure-open-course

Welcome to a vital bonus episode of Practice Matters,the podcast dedicated to supporting, celebrating, and defending the UK’s independent veterinary sector.

Today, we are tackling a critical issue sending shockwavesthrough independent clinics nationwide: the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) draft mandatory poster. While presented as a push for transparency, its prominent claim that medicines are "significantly cheaper online"oversimplifies the pharmacy process, ignores vital cross-subsidisation, and threatens to erode client trust.

To break down what this means for your daily schedule,fees, and staff wellbeing, host Ian Wolstenholme is joined by ADRIAN WARD, vet and principal at Neighbourhood Vet in Gosport. Together, they discuss the operational fallout, the danger of frontline abuse, and why independent practices must demand a redraft before the public consultation closes on 20th August. Tune in to discover how to make your voice heard!

Link to CMA Consultation to respond:

https://connect.cma.gov.uk/consultations/draft-substantive-order-and-undertakings

Suicide and mental health crisis are not abstract risks in veterinary practice — they are realities our profession must face head on. Since April 2026, the RCVS now requires every practice to have a formal Suicide Prevention Plan in place, andyet many teams still don't know where to start.

In this episode of Practice Matters, we're joined by Dr HANNAH PERRIN, to explore what meaningful suicide prevention actually looks like within a veterinary setting.We'll be discussing how to create and implement a Suicide Prevention Plan that goes beyond box-ticking — one that equips you and your whole team with the knowledge, language, and confidence to act when it matters most.

This is an essential listen for practice owners, managers, and anyone who cares about the wellbeing of the people they work alongside.

As ever, we would love to hear from YOUR practice – send us a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65

For more information about the workshops mentioned, visit

https://clarity-pro.co.uk/product/suicide-prevention-workshop/

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, please contact:

https://www.samaritans.org/

https://helpline.vetlife.org.uk/

Welcome back to Practice Matters, the podcast that champions independent veterinary practices and the brilliant people within them. In this episode, we're reflecting on FIVP's recent appearance at the University of Liverpool Vet School's Career Fair in May. It was a fantastic opportunity for us to get in front of the next generation of veterinary professionals and share what makes independent practice such a rewarding and fulfilling career path.

From clinical autonomy to genuine community connection, we were there to fly the flag for independents and show students that there's a vibrant, values-driven alternative to the corporate route. We'll share some highlights and thoughts from the day.

We've also got updates on two things worth knowing about: BERNARD FROST provides details of the upcoming BSAVA LUMOS platform, a fresh approach to CPD that's generating real buzz across the profession, and we shine a spotlight on new FIVP member Ardsley Vets, a brand new independentpractice in West Yorkshire.

And if you would like YOUR practice to be featured onPractice Matters, simply send us a voice note or message to 07709 83 68 65

In this ‘Practice Matters’ episode, we're joined by ANDY DONLEY from Practice Made Purrfect to tackle one of the most common - and quietly costly - problems in vet marketing: sounding exactly like everyone else.

If your website says "we treat your pet like family," you're in good company.  But Andy explains why phrases like that have stopped doing any real work, and what practices can do instead to build messaging that is genuinely theirs.

With the CMA remedies now pushing for greater consistency across the profession, the ability to articulate what makes your practice truly different has never mattered more. Andy shares practical ways to uncover your real differentiators, turn everyday details into compelling messages, and find the confidence to say something that actually stands out.

How is your practice truly unique?  As ever, we would love to hear from your practice.  Send us a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65

For more details about the work of Practice Made Purrfect - visit https://www.practicemadepurrfect.com/