Further information revealed about RCVS Workforce Summit in November

The RCVS has revealed further details about the Workforce Summit it will be convening in November 2021, which will be powered by its ViVet initiative, to consider how best to respond to the ongoing concerns over staffing shortages and lack of additional capacity to meet demand for veterinary services.

The summit will take place at The View, at the Royal College of Surgeons in London on Tuesday 30 November, and will involve key stakeholders across the veterinary sector including government, representative bodies, vet schools and veterinary employers.

Representatives from stakeholder organisations have been invited to take part in the Summit discussions, which will focus on the ‘three Rs’ underlying the current concerns, namely: recruitment, retention and return to work.

Ahead of and in preparation for the Summit, ViVet has organised a series of online Insight Sessions, which are open to all veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and practice managers to attend and share their views and experiences around recruitment, retention and return to work.

Lizzie Lockett, RCVS CEO, said: “We want to ensure that 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 that the day itself can focus on finding solutions.

“I do hope you will be able to take part and share your views as it is vital that we hear from as many people across the veterinary sector as possible.”

Veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and practice managers can register their interest in attending an Insight Session at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/QB28WPQ

The full list of lunchtime sessions and evening sessions can be found via the survey link.

Please bear in mind that spaces for the Insight Sessions are limited, so will be allocated in a way that provides the most representative group possible.