Dealing with Difficult Situations webinar

In December 2021 and January 2022 we held Parts One and Two of the 'Dealing with Difficult Situations in your first few months of practising' webinar which was aimed at new graduates and final year vet students.

The webinar featured recent graduates sharing some of the challenging situations they have faced, how they dealt with them and reflecting on what they learned and how it changed their future practice.

Our Head of Legal Services (Standards) Gemma Kingswell, then explored these scenarios further in reference to the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons and its supporting guidance, and what these say about how best to handle difficult situations.

You can find the recordings from Parts One and Two of the webinar below and we have also provided links to the relevant sections of the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance should you wish to read more around the subjects covered.

Need some advice?

We offer advice and guidance to veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses on matters relating to professional conduct, either over the phone or by email.

You can contact the Advice Team on 020 7202 0789 or [email protected].

All conversations are treated confidentially.

Part One of the Dealing with Difficult Situations webinar

Introduction - Part One

Gemma Kingswell, RCVS Head of Legal Services (Standards)

Gemma introduces the webinar and explains the role of the Advice Team.

Case Study 1 - Pragmatic Care

Izzy Hocking MRCVS

Izzy Hocking graduated from the University of Liverpool in July 2018 and then took 6 months off to volunteer abroad for veterinary charities.

Izzy started at the Blue Cross graduate scheme in January 2019, working at both the London hospitals and in Grimsby.

Since completing the graduate scheme in July 2020 she has been kept on as a vet at the Blue Cross in London.

Relevant sections from the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct:

Relevant chapter in supporting guidance:

Chapter 2 – Veterinary Care

2.2 c & d

Case Study 2 - OOH Obligations

Alex Davies MRCVS

Alex graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2020 and now works in a small animal primary care hospital in South Wales.

Alex is also the President of Vet Mentor, a non-profit organisation dedicated to applying veterinary students and accessibility to veterinary careers.

Alex won the BVA Young Vet of the Year Award 2021 for the creation of a virtual veterinary work experience programme, to increase veterinary aspirations in school students.

Relevant section from the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct:

Relevant chapter in supporting guidance:

Chapter 3 – 24/7 emergency first aid and pain relief

3.7
3.46
3.56
3.57

Case Study 3 - Communicating with clients and certification

Hannah Prestwood MRCVS

Hannah graduated from the University of Nottingham Veterinary School in 2018.

She spent the first two years of her career as a farm vet in Gloucestershire and then undertook a small animal rotating internship at a referral hospital for a year.

She now works at a small animal charity practice as a general practitioner.

Relevant sections from the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct:

Case Study 4 - Working within your own areas of competence

Layla Thompson MRCVS

Layla graduated from the University of Nottingham in July 2020.

She recently completed a mixed small animal and equine internship and is now looking to pursue a career in small animal practice with a particular interest in soft tissue surgery.

Relevant sections from the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct:

Relevant chapter in supporting guidance:

Chapter 2 – Veterinary Care

2.2 j

Q&A

Gemma Kingswell, RCVS Head of Legal Services (Standards) answers questions from attendees.

Part Two of the Dealing with Difficult Situations webinar

Introduction - Part Two

Gemma Kingswell, RCVS Head of Legal Services (Standards) introduces Part Two of the webinar.

Case Study 1 - Euthanasia

Bolu Eso MRCVS

Bolu Eso studied Veterinary Medicine at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Budapest and qualified in 2019. Bolu specialises in small animal medicine and works in a London practice.

Relevant sections from the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct:

Relevant chapter in supporting guidance:

Chapter 8 – Euthanasia

8.11
8.13

Case Study 2 - Breaking client confidentiality

Johannah Maxwell MRCVS

Johannah Maxwell, graduated from Liverpool University in 2020. Since then she has worked with the Blue Cross in a small animal practice and enjoys charity and emergency work.