Vet Futures competition: what’s inspired you?

To mark two years since the launch of the Vet Futures Action Plan, the RCVS and BVA are launching a competition to find the best project or initiative that has been inspired by Vet Futures.

The prize for the best entry includes a platform to showcase the idea during BVA Congress at the London Vet Show (LVS) in November, as well as two tickets to LVS (including accommodation and travel) and support from BVA and RCVS to promote the project to the wider profession.

The Vet Futures Project Board wants to hear from individuals or organisations who are taking forward initiatives that will help to meet one or more of the six Vet Futures ambitions to enable the profession to take charge of its own future. They are:

1. A leading force for animal health and welfare
2. Valued for our wider roles in society
3. Confident, resilient, healthy and well-supported
4. A broad range of diverse and rewarding career paths
5. Thriving, innovative, user-focused businesses
6. Exceptional leadership

Entrants must set out their project in 500 words or fewer explaining which of the Vet Futures ambitions it aims to meet, how the idea will be or has been implemented, and how success is being, or has been, measured.

The Vet Futures Action Plan, launched at the Vet Futures Summit in July 2016, set out 24 specific actions to help meet the ambitions. The actions are being taken forward by RCVS and BVA, with Vet Schools Council and the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA), and great progress is being made, for example:

• Publishing the Animal Welfare Strategy, which won a World Veterinary Association award in 2017
• Setting up the Veterinary Animal Welfare Coalition to communicate to the general public about the five welfare needs
• Establishing up the UK One Health Coordination Group with medical and environmental professionals to share best practice
• Launching RCVS Leadership and piloting the Edward Jenner Veterinary Leadership Programme for vets and VNs
• Launching ViVet, the veterinary innovation hub, and hosting the first veterinary innovation symposium in September 2017
• Engaging the profession globally with the Vet Futures Europe project and inspiring individual countries to run their own Vet Futures projects
• Launching the VN Futures report and action plan

Stephen May, RCVS President, said:

“Vet Futures has reminded us that to fully serve Society the profession must be in control of its own future, and we are delighted that so many are already taking up that challenge. We want to celebrate their contributions and look forward to receiving the entries to our competition.”

Commenting, BVA President John Fishwick added:

“A lot has already been achieved against the Vet Futures actions, with more in the pipeline, but we are keen to hear from others who have been inspired to set up their own projects, whether big or small.”

The closing date for entries is midnight on Sunday 23 September 2018. Entries will be judged by members of the Vet Futures Project Board, which includes representatives from BVA, RCVS and Vet Schools Council. The winner will be announced ahead of the Vet Futures session at BVA Congress at the London Vet Show on Thursday 15 November.

For more information about the competition visit https://www.vetfutures.org.uk/competition