From leadership, to communication to breaking down the concept of ‘gold standard’ and moving towards contextualized care aka ‘vetting’- join us for an insightful conversation that flows through a versatile journey of learning and experiences over years of vetting. 

In this podcast we are joined by Vet Voices On Air’s Ami Sawran, as we talk to Simon and Sam. Simon Hayes, is a veterinary surgeon with 23 years experience in the industry and co-founding the startup Creature Comforts a company that wants to see "healthier pets and happier vets". Sam Joseph is the co-founder of StreetVet and also Clinical Director & Veterinary Surgeon of Creature Comforts' Notting Hill clinic. 

During the episode the two talk about all aspects of career, leadership, happiness and team dynamics. They feel that leadership is someone you want to follow and be part of, sometimes that means leading with vulnerability and talking about your pressures too.

Over the years of vetting, they have found that lack of foundations being laid without preparing teams for the current changeable veterinary landscape, meaning old habits and cultures makes it hard to change. They feel that this results in lots of firefighting going on with people trying to dig themselves out of a negative work situation - is starting your own practice the answer? To create your own culture? It's hard when you don't feel like you have control of your own destiny, and sometimes it's easier to start fresh and help build something up as sometimes it's hard to change culture and dynamics in established practices.

They feel that communication is the foundation of this, not only being vulnerable as a leader but also how we talk and interact with our clients. They think If we paid as much attention to how you run a consultant but as we do clinical CPD, then a lot of issues would fall away as your confidence grows in communication and interpersonal skills. Artificial Intelligence is going to help their practices to see what communication works, and what doesn't, and how we can be more empathetic in our interactions which will help the customer and professional interactions, by analysing language. 

Furthermore, they ask, is 'gold standard' a source of stress?

Should we use contextualised care to ‘reset’ how we manage care? Gold standard could cause friction between client and professional - when someone wants to aim to hold standard but barriers prevent it. So, guided and balanced decision making, and ensure the best outcome for the patient. Pragmatism should be considered a useful tool, and treating the pet in the context of what is best for the pet and the client. 

Simon says: What is contextualised care? It's basically vetting. We as a profession understand there are levels of care that can be offered, and that is the right care for that owner and that patient at that time. 

Listen here for a journey through time, and vetting. 

Veterinary Voices UK Special Episode: 'A Year of Vet Voices On Air.

Join Veterinary Voices UK own Danny Chambers and Robyn Lowe, with Vet Voices On Air hosts Paul Horwood and Ami Sawran, as we have a 2024 roundoff.

A year in the life of the Vet Voices On Air Podcast - Thank you all for being part of it, and we cannot wait for 2025!

Stay tuned for more!

As the Kennel Club's 'Assured Breeders Scheme' closes down at the end of 2024, how do we ensure that prospective puppy owners are educated on what constitutes an ‘ethical breeder’?

Do you believe that there is such a thing as ‘ethical breeders’?

Join Veterinary Surgeons Sean McCormack and Alison Skipper, with Veterinary Voices own Robyn Lowe,  as they delve into challenging topics around the Kennel Club, pedigree dogs, health testing, societies purchase habits (sometimes compulsive, and based on aesthetic and fashionable breeds over health) and the future of puppy breeding and purchasing. 

What are the ‘green flags’ of a 'good' breeder - how do we stop the UK puppy demand supporting illegally imported puppies, or unethical and unscrupulous breeding methods and establishments or organisations? 

In this podcast, Luiz Santos BVSc MSc Dip. ACVAA, presents his pioneering research into Second Victim Syndrome in the veterinary profession and his extensive knowledge on the topic in the medical field.

In conversation with Danny Chambers and Robyn Lowe we delve into personal experiences of Second Victim Syndrome and how it can affect any one of us at any time.

Following an adverse event in practice, our focus is often on the harm done to our patient, and the negative psychological impact on the caring professionals involved are often overlooked. These psychological impacts can be severe and

We call this Second Victim Syndrome.

 We discuss practical ways to reduce our experiences of this and how having a superhero mentality may not always be helpful to ourselves and others around us, highlighting the importance of peer support.

If you feel you have been affected by this podcast, or that you are experiencing symptoms of Second Victim Syndrome then please contact Vetlife Helpline, available 24/7 on 0303 040 2551/ www.vetlife.org.uk

Please see the following links for more information on Second Victim Syndrome:

·   ForYOU website, providing useful information on Second Victim: https://www.muhealth.org/about-us/quality-care-patient-safety/office-of-clinical-effectiveness/foryou

·    A Youtube podcast, with Dr Susan Scott describing her extensive work with Second Victim Syndrome amongst medics: https://youtu.be/5MdvKUXZWS4

·    ‘The natural history of recovery for the healthcare provider “second victim” after adverse patient events,’ by Dr Susan

·     ‘Medical error: the second victim,’ by Albert Wu: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1117748/

Small animal vet and APBC registered behaviourist Sophie White (BVetMed MSc MRCVS) describes her perspective on the relationship between chronic pain and behaviour, giving some great tips to manage behavioural problems in a more simple way. In conversation with our very own Danny Chambers MP, they discuss this fascinating topic, and Danny reflects how this may relate to equine veterinary practice.

Sophie describes how she combined her passion for working with dogs experiencing chronic pain with behavioural issues after encountering problems with her own rescue dog. This

We discuss the topic of euthanasia due to behaviour problems, and how a lot of guilt is often felt putting an otherwise healthy animal to sleep. We consider the animal welfare perspective, and how in order to put safe precautions in place for human safety animal welfare may be compromised, making euthanasia a better option for some animals. 

Sophie discusses the benefit of a pain relief trial of there is even a tiny chance of pain being a factor, ideally before referral to her. Pain is a subjective personal experience and cannot be ruled out. Referral is still an important thing to do, particularly when dealing with aggressive animals for safeguarding purposes, but whilst waiting to see her, patients could be undergoing a pain relief trial so the behaviour issue can be dealt with more quickly. If referral isn’t an option within the context of this client/ patient then a pain relief trial or

***Trigger Warning***

It is important to note that this podcast discusses the

Rosie Allister and James Russell bring their wealth of

Robyn Lowe BSc(Hons), Dip AVN, Dip HE CVN, RVN talks to James Russell BVetMed FRCVS, president of Vetlife and Rosie Allister BSc(Hons) BVSc MSc PhD MRCVS. Rosie has extensive experience in veterinary mental health research and its implementation, including suicide prevention and postvention. She is also the Consulting Manager for Vetlife Helpline and has 20 years of experience working with Samaritans.

We discuss the importance of talking to an

We explain the evidence base behind what is being shared

So, how can we talk about suicide safely? Because it is so

We need to focus on where help can be found and that THERE IS HOPE. 

Join us in this fascinating and educational podcast to learn

For further support following this podcast, please see the

Vetlife:

https://helpline.vetlife.org.uk/ 

Samaritans:

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwq_G1BhCSARIsACc7NxqOIOLmy34y3B3NcHxrJ4ff8XnjKLSYF1NDaSPsvoHe-Aq1_GC7PZcaAitZEALw_wcB

Navaratnam Partheeban BVM&S BSc MRCVS OBE, (known as Theeb), co-founder British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society (BVEDS) brings a varied background of clinical farm practice and industry including research and pharmaceuticals and a wealth of knowledge and fascination with equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the veterinary profession, alongside our very own Ami Sawran BVSc PgCertVPS CertAVP(CP) PhD FRCVS making this a must-listen podcast!

Join us as we reflect on what EDI really means, and the importance of personal introspection to consider our individual privileges and barriers to then appreciate the privileges and barriers of those around us, and how they may affect equality, diversity and inclusivity of the veterinary profession.

Though the veterinary profession and agricultural sector is improving, we are still a very un-diverse population, which needs to be recognised. We discuss simple inclusive language changes as well as easy ways to connect with clients, particularly on farm or in ambulatory practice, a technique that can help minimise the differences we may otherwise have.

Sexism is still the most reported type of discrimination both across the board and in veterinary practice, despite the feminisation of the workforce. We talk about how this can be prevented through communication, self-education and allyship. Allyship can mean different things in different scenarios. It may not always be safe to speak out, but small changes with trusted peers and loved ones, conversations with clients and good leadership are some of them. Tune in to find out more!

Want to know more? Check out the Agdiversity online awareness course for EDI by following this link:

https://www.nuffieldscholar.org/agdiversity

Join good friends Danny Chambers and Gwen Rees BVSc(Hons) PhD MRCVS, chatting about her fascinating PhD into the sociology of what happens on farms after treatment plans and medications are dispensed, and the reasons compliance may not always be met. By understanding these factors and implementing change, might we improve compliance, animal welfare and antimicrobial stewardship?

Gwen presents the evidence towards empathetic collaboration, how veering away from a paternalistic culture between both government and vet/ vet and farmer can provide a tailored treatment plan that fits the context of individual farms.

Through jovial self-reflection we tackle the topic of ‘main character syndrome.’ Are we as vets more prone to this?! Could greater awareness of this improve client compliance across all veterinary sectors?

In this podcast we hear Carrie Kearns, a Pet Bereavement Councillor, passionately advocate for those experiencing pet bereavement. In conversation with Robyn Lowe and Danny Chambers, who bring their experiences of small animal and equine euthanasia’s, Carrie Kearns ACC Dip PBC, MHS provides compassionate insight into owner experience after pet loss giving useful tips and advice to support our clients through animal euthanasia, including making the decision, the actual procedure and coping afterwards.

We discuss subjects such as disenfranchised grief, where society doesn’t allow us to validate our grief and how this can relate to losing our animals. We have a unique and special co-dependent relationship with our pets and part of ownership is a caregiving role, ensuring their needs are met, often bringing us closer together.

We talk about approaching the decision to euthanise an animal, and how we as members of the veterinary team can support owners so they do not feel alone in this. We also cover simple tips like dressing a catheter can make a big difference to owner experience. Tune in to hear more!

Carrie also highlights her role as a pet bereavement councillor, and how she may be able to assist both clients and veterinary staff. Carrie is a member of the newly launched Association of Pet Bereavement Councillors: a self-regulating body setup to acknowledge the relevance and value of pet bereavement councillors, who can provide niche client support. To become an accredited member, individuals must fulfil specific criteria, and they are listed with details of their location and credentials, so clients can pick a councillor tailored to their needs.

Please follow the following link to view this:

https://apbcounsellors.co.uk/find-a-counsellor

This podcast needs to be next up on your playlist! Listen in

In open and candid conversation, Kirstie Pickles BVMS MSc PgCert(CounsSkills) PhD CertEM(IntMed) DipECEIM MRCVS describes her own later-in-life diagnosis of autism and her mental health journey before and after this.

As many as 1 in 6 of us are thought to be neurodivergent,

Through her research, Kirstie found the lack of awareness of neurodiversity amongst colleagues was one of the most commonly reported stressors. To address this finding, Kirstie and a large team at Vetlife has developed a free veterinary-specific neurodiversity guidance detailing information about

https://www.vetlife.org.uk/neurodiversity/

This podcast discusses the new Vetlife Neurodiversity

We talk about how the stigma that surrounds neurodiversity at management level is the biggest reason for individuals not to seek help, having a negative impact on their mental health. It is jam-packed with useful, practical advice.

For further help and information, Kirstie is founder of unedited minds, which provides neurodiversity awareness training for organisations and coaching for neurodivergent individuals: 

https://uneditedminds.co.uk

Some more links for support include: 

The National Autism Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/

The Brain Charity: https://www.thebraincharity.org.uk/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwnqK1BhBvEiwAi7o0Xw7-bl52jxdQAZszrGTLX7vez0Dy65DkeV-NNKvTVD-rnwzOo7pCqhoCjsYQAvD_BwE

The British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/ 

ADHD UK: https://adhduk.co.uk/