Summary

Significant challenge

Addressing the difficulties associated with EMS encountered by stakeholders, without undermining the unique value it brings, or creating unintended consequences for veterinary education and the preparation of new graduates for their future role within the profession, is a significant challenge.

A number of measures has been identified, which, when combined, aim to reduce the financial burden on all students, improve opportunities for widening participation, increase the availability of EMS placements and enhance the experience for both students and EMS providers.

Through adopting a new approach to enhance the consistency of high-quality EMS, the amount of EMS required to be completed can be reduced, which eases the pressure on supply and reduces costs to students. The additional quality assurance measures needed to achieve this are proportionate and will be facilitated by a national EMS database that we will host, with the focus being on improving communication and managing expectations of students and EMS providers prior to the placement, to improve satisfaction on both sides.

Avoiding unintended consequences

The move towards a more outcomes-focused approach will add value to the EMS process and enable students to make their experiences meaningful to their own personal and professional growth as they progress through their veterinary programme. A reduced requirement in terms of the number of weeks, which can also be achieved much more flexibly, will reduce the costs to students and provide more options for those on lower incomes to get the EMS they need, in a manner that fits with their personal circumstances.

"To remove the EMS requirement completely, putting the onus on students to decide how much EMS would benefit them, could risk significantly increasing inequity for students."

To remove the EMS requirement completely, putting the onus on students to decide how much EMS would benefit them, could risk significantly increasing inequity for students, which could have an extended impact into their future careers. Students from more affluent backgrounds would have access to more EMS than those without the same support, which could impact on confidence, breadth and depth of experience and employability. 

Furthermore, although students are able to reflect on their needs in terms of practising clinical skills on EMS, the value EMS brings to students extends beyond this purpose and is more nuanced, bringing experience of the ‘hard to measure’ aspects of professional practice, such as teamwork, workplace culture and dealing with a wide range of client needs.

Through the consideration of feedback from all stakeholders – students, vet schools, EMS providers and the wider profession – our future EMS policy will provide a framework for an enhanced, more flexible and accessible approach that is sustainable in the longer term.