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RCVS forms working group for career pathways project
Nick Cooper will chair the working group.
The group will have its first meeting in the spring.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has formed a working group to develop its new veterinary clinical career pathways project.

The group will be chaired by Nick Cooper, a medical educator and retired GP. He is an associate professor in clinical education and the medical director for physician associate studies at the University of Plymouth. He is also the current president of the Academy of Medical Educators UK.

Prof Cooper will be joined by a mix of veterinary professionals and academics, as well as a recent graduate and a veterinary nurse. The group will hold its first meeting in the spring.

The veterinary clinical career pathways project was announced by the RCVS in November 2023 with the aim of improving career options for veterinary professionals.

The project has three workstreams, which the working group will oversee: developing a training programme for a new ‘Specialist in Primary Care’ status; providing clear guidance on the different clinical roles and statuses; and developing more flexible and accessible routes for specialist training.

Prof Cooper said: “I am both delighted and grateful to have been appointed to chair this group and to have the opportunity to work alongside my veterinary peers on this very important project which could prove transformational in terms of diversifying and expanding the career options and pathways available to veterinary surgeons.

“I hope to bring useful insight from the medical professions and my experience as a general practitioner, a medical educator and from my involvement with postgraduate training development.”

Linda Prescott-Clements, RCVS director of education, added: “We’re very fortunate to have the vast wealth of experience and varied perspectives that the various veterinary surgeons on the working group will bring to this important work and grateful to have Professor Cooper’s experience of postgraduate training developments over many different years and health profession contexts.”

Image © Royal Collage of Veterinary Surgeons

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
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