Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 25th March 2024
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Farm vets offered antimicrobial stewardship support
Reported antibiotics data currently represents only 28 per cent of the dairy sector.
It will increase data collection on antimicrobial use.

RCVS Knowledge is to offer additional support to beef, sheep and dairy veterinary surgeons, to help the sector with antimicrobial stewardship.

The Medicine Hub provides an online tool for veterinary surgeons to compare their medicine use, in an effort to improve data collection and tackle antibiotic resistance.

However, the reported data on the service for ruminant sectors is low. It currently represents 28 per cent of the dairy sector and nine per cent of the sheep sectors.

RCVS Knowledge has said that it will collaborate with the red meat and dairy sectors as well as the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, which developed the Medicine Hub, to support individual veterinary professionals with antimicrobial stewardship.

The charity is working with its Farm Vet Champions community, which it formed as part of its goal to implement practical changes across the profession. The collaboration will see them provide tailored support for farm veterinary surgeons and their practice teams, including one-to-one consultation and in-person workshops.

Farm Vet Champions will be encouraged to set SMART goals – which are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound – to improve their antimicrobial stewardship credentials and fill data gaps.

They will also guide their teams to work with clients to upload farm level data to the Medicine Hub.

It is hoped that these actions will support the sectors to close the gap on targets set by the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (RUMA). RUMA has targeted the sector with reporting 2024 data for 8,000 sheep flocks, 8,000 beef herds and 95 per cent of the dairy industry.

The project has been funded by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, which RCVS Knowledge says will allow them to reach more farm veterinary surgeons and their teams.

Fiona Lovatt, RCVS Knowledge Clinical Lead for Medicines, said: “I am so encouraged every time I have a conversation with an individual vet or a group of practice team members about how they are engaging with their farm clients.

“This is not just a project about data and figures, it is about conversations, relationships, healthy animals, and good practice. It is about doing the right thing, about the reputation of the red meat and dairy sectors, and the reputation of the farm veterinary professions.”

There is free CPD available on the Farm Vet Champions platform, or you can contact RCVS Knowledge for tailored support.

Image © Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

FIVP announces third series of Practice Matters

News Story 1
 The Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) has announced a third season of its podcast, Practice Matters.

Hosted by Ian Wolstenholme, series three will focus on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation, including a discussion about some of the expected impacts on independent veterinary colleagues.

Episode one launches on 13th January with guests Drs David Reader and Scott Summers, who will draw on their research into the CMA investigation and provide insights into themes such as transparency, pricing and consumer trust.

Ian Wolstenholme said: "In its third series, we will try and hone in on what the changes will mean in reality for independent practices with advice and guidance on implementation and delivery, drawing on the experience of our own team and other experts in the profession. Hope you can join us soon!" 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk