The RCVS Podcast

In this extended episode, we explore an issue that matters deeply across the veterinary professions: suicide prevention. Please note: this episode will be centred around suicide. Please remember that if you are impacted by anything discussed, help is available. You can contact veterinary mental health charity, Vetlife, who have a confidential helpline available 24 hours a day, seven days a week as well as an email service. You can also contact charities outside of the veterinary sector such as Samaritans and Papyrus – details for all of which can be found below. From the new 2026 Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) requirements - requiring all practices (including small animal, farm and equine) to have a suicide prevention plan in place - to practical steps practices can take right now, this conversation is all about making support more visible, conversations less intimidating, and workplaces safer for everyone. You’ll hear thoughtful insights from experts working across the field, alongside real examples of how leadership, training, and culture can make a meaningful difference. We also talk about the role of stigma, what good prevention planning actually looks like, and why talking openly about mental health is such an important part of protecting people. Speakers: Angharad Belcher – RCVS Director for the Advancement of the Professions, and Mind Matters Initiative Alice Duvernois MRCVS – RCVS Lead PSS Assessor Peter Kelly – senior psychologist and leading suicide prevention expert Dr Rosie Allister MRCVS – consultant manager for Vetlife helpline and suicide prevention and mental health researcher James Glass MRCVS – suicide prevention researcher What we cover in this episode Why suicide prevention is now part of the Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) How practices can approach the new requirements without feeling overwhelmed What an effective suicide prevention plan should include The role of leadership, team culture, and psychological safety Why access to means, trauma exposure, and organisational support all matter How to talk about suicide responsibly and reduce stigma Practical resources, training, and support available to veterinary teams Resources Vetlife Samaritans Papyrus RCVS Mind Matters suicide prevention in the veterinary workplace – links to the RCVS suicide prevention toolkit for veterinary workplaces - a practical guide to meeting the PSS suicide prevention standard and related suicide prevention requirements in UK veterinary workplaces. RCVS Academy courses – free to access for veterinary professionals, including 'Suicide awareness fundamentals'. Vetlife suicide postvention guidance British Standard BS 30480 on Workplace Suicide Prevention RCVS Mind Matters applied mental health science series guides Samaritans media guidelines for responsible reporting on suicide World Health Organisation (WHO) suicide prevention RCVS Mind Matters reasonable adjustments campaign The Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) Model of Suicidal Behaviour Time, Space, Compassion- supporting people experiencing suicidal crisis: introductory guide – Scottish Government Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the podcast and focus on suicide prevention in veterinary 05:45 - Explanation of the RCVS Practice Standard Scheme (PSS) and its levels 16:23 - What constitutes a suicide prevention plan and how to implement it effectively 23:57 - The critical role of leadership, culture, and open conversations 33:06 - Other available resources: Vetlife, RCVS Academy courses, RCVS Mind Matters guides and other support 41:32 - The importance of responsible discourse and avoiding stigmatisation 49:54 - Models like IMV (O’Connor, 2011) to understand the complexities of suicidal behaviour 55:08 - The role of leadership and organisational culture in prevention 66:29 - Tips for fostering a safety culture where mental health challenges can be openly discussed 75:

Navigating change can be exciting, but it doesn’t come without challenges. Our latest podcast is part one of a two-part special on our ‘Next Steps’ project, which aims to develop a range of resources to support key professional transitions for those returning to the professions after having children, those returning from a career break more generally, and those moving into managerial positions for the first time. In this first episode, Angharad Belcher, RCVS Director for the Advancement of the Professions, speaks with Lauren Davis, a vet turned pet sleep expert and business founder, live from the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons Congress in Birmingham. In the chat, Lauren shares her personal journey and offers honest insights into navigating the emotional, physical, and workplace challenges of returning to work after having children. Their conversation includes practical advice for employers, managers, and employees alike. In addition, we bring you the latest news from across the College and our Senior Vice-President, Linda Belton, delves into greater detail about the recent outcome of the Competition and Markets Authority’s investigation into the veterinary services for household pets market. Resources: Discover more on our latest news stories Visit our Workforce page to find out more about the Next Steps project and sign up to our events (located under the ‘Get involved’ section) Explore other College events Check out our free CPD courses on the RCVS Academy Got a question about the podcast or an idea for future content? Email us at podcast@rcvs.org.uk

In our latest podcast, we discuss reasonable adjustments in the veterinary professions, summing up the work from our recent ‘Let’s Talk Adjustments’ campaign. The conversation introduces what reasonable adjustments are, the laws surrounding them, and why the campaign was needed. We then discuss the importance of reasonable adjustments in the workplace – including the personal experiences of our guest, Jenny Seward MRCVS – a small animal vet and clinical director who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 15 years ago. Jenny then goes on to speak about how she now approaches reasonable adjustments from a leadership position, and the importance of opening up conversations with colleagues. All resources from out Let’s Talk Adjustments campaign can be found on the campaign page: Reasonable Adjustments campaign - Professionals Got a question about the campaign? Email advancement@rcvs.org.uk For more information on the latest RCVS news stories, please visit the RCVS News & Views page here: News & views - Professionals RCVS podcast page (where full transcript of the episode is available) Podcasts - Professionals Link to WhatsApp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb78yutE50UlFWxf4h07 Got a question about the podcast? Email podcast@rcvs.org.uk

In this episode of The RCVS Podcast, ‘Research with Purpose: An RCVS Perspective’, the RCVS Team discuss various topics related to the veterinary profession, including the importance of workforce initiatives, insights from research, and why engagement is the key to progress.

An introduction to the RCVS consultation on governance reform, providing on overview of our unique role as a Royal College that regulates, and the background to our recommendations for modernising our governance structure. This is part one of two, using the audio taken from a webinar we ran on 11 June 2024.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) innovation initiative ViVet has produced a new series of podcasts which aim to help veterinary professionals develop an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset and apply this in their everyday practice. Developed as part of our ViVet initiative and designed to ensure veterinary professionals are at the centre of innovation in the animal health sector. Episode 6 - Stop talking, start doing. Identifying the actions to establish a successful, impactful innovation program. Brings the previous episodes together to create the roadmap for the innovation journey, and being able to measure the progress that is being made. The six podcasts are presented by Harvey Wade, Founder and Managing Director of innovation consultancy Innovate21 which aims to help businesses, organisations and sectors embed innovation within their plans and strategies. RCVS ViVet Podcast's can of course be counted towards your CPD targets if they align with your objectives for the year.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) innovation initiative ViVet has produced a new series of podcasts which aim to help veterinary professionals develop an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset and apply this in their everyday practice. Developed as part of our ViVet initiative and designed to ensure veterinary professionals are at the centre of innovation in the animal health sector. Episode 4 - Navigating the current environment. What currently stops or hinders ways how common barriers can be overcome. Exploring how innovation progress is hampered in an organisation and how common barriers can be overcome. The six podcasts are presented by Harvey Wade, Founder and Managing Director of innovation consultancy Innovate21 which aims to help businesses, organisations and sectors embed innovation within their plans and strategies. RCVS ViVet Podcast's can of course be counted towards your CPD targets if they align with your objectives for the year.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) innovation initiative ViVet has produced a new series of podcasts which aim to help veterinary professionals develop an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset and apply this in their everyday practice. Developed as part of our ViVet initiative and designed to ensure veterinary professionals are at the centre of innovation in the animal health sector. Episode 2 - An enabler, not an outcome. A tool to create the desired future.Innovation must be aligned to vision, and being clear what it needs to achieve. Being it purpose-led ensures a better chance of innovation success. The six podcasts are presented by Harvey Wade, Founder and Managing Director of innovation consultancy Innovate21 which aims to help businesses, organisations and sectors embed innovation within their plans and strategies. RCVS ViVet Podcast's can of course be counted towards your CPD targets if they align with your objectives for the year.

In this episode of the RCVS Podcast we talk to some of the members of the RCVS Ethics Review Panel (ERP). The ERP is a permanently established sub-committee reporting to the RCVS Standards Committee - looking at ethical review of practice-based research. Listen to this episode to learn more about ERP, what it does and how it came about, and hear from members of the panel.

Worcestershire-based Meadows Farm Vets is a farm animal-only practice and the winner of the small practice category in the 2017 Veterinary Wellbeing Awards. In this podcast Anna Feeney speaks to practice owners Sophie and Richard Aylett about how smaller practices can still invest time and effort into staff wellbeing, the kind of support that can be offered to staff when they spend most of their time on site visits and supporting work-life balance.

In another Awards episode we talk to Dr Alemayehu Hailemariam, one of the winners of this year's RCVS International Awards. He leads the Brooke equine charity's animal health programme in Ethiopia, and across various roles has helped an estimated 600,000 animals across Ethiopia. This is one of the world’s largest populations of working equids, belonging to some of the world’s poorest communities, who often rely upon their animals for their livelihoods. Dr Hailemariam’s work is therefore one of the finest examples of how a vet can serve their whole community. You can read more about Alemayehu and the other RCVS Award winners on our website: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/news/college-announces-recipients-of-2018-rcvs-honours/.

In this episode we talk to Professor Derek Knottenbelt OBE, one of the winners of this year's RCVS Inspiration Award. Emeritus Professor in Equine Internal Medicine at the University of Liverpool and Director of Equine Medical Solutions, he has been recognised for inspiring generations of veterinary students, residents and Specialists. You can read more about Derek and the other RCVS Award winners on our website: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/news/college-announces-recipients-of-2018-rcvs-honours/.

In this episode we talk to Jade Statt, co-founder of Street Vet and one of the winners of this year's RCVS Impact Award. Since starting StreetVet in October 2016 with fellow vet Sam Joseph, Jade has had an immeasurable impact on the homeless communities in some of the largest cities in England, as well as providing over 220 volunteer vet and vet nurses a chance to expand their skillset. You can read more about Jade and the other RCVS Award winners on our website: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/news/college-announces-recipients-of-2018-rcvs-honours/.