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Pfizer survey sheds light on motivations
4000 responses analysed

Pfizer has announced the results of a recent VetSupport+ Initiative survey designed to investigate what drives workers in the veterinary sector. More than 4000 responses were received, including the thoughts of 749 practice owners, practice managers and partners, and nearly 3500 individual employees of the nation's veterinary practices. The VetSupport+ team and an independent expert were able to identify major trends and hope to repeat the research on a regular basis so that employee engagement can be monitored on a long-term basis.

Key factors for engaging a veterinary team identified by the study include team effectiveness, employee performance management and leadership. Commenting on the findings, Director Business Innovation at Pfizer Animal Health Ned Flaxman said "At face value this data makes for very interesting reading and the identification of the key drivers of engagement in practice is the practical benefit for practices to prioritise their focus of activity on staff management. This research will enable us to work with practices to do their own employee engagement survey to be benchmarked against the national study. This will provide an evidence-based approach to identify the biggest gaps for improvement, and our Vet Support+ team can work with practices to deliver solutions for those challenges whether leadership, team effectiveness or performance management."

Key findings from the Employee Engagement Survey:
  • 80% of practice owners believe there is a great deal of trust in the team
  • 43% of staff state they do not receive a formal appraisal meeting
  • 32% of practice owners admit their teams do not receive a formal appraisal meeting
  • 23% of employees believe their management team are not accessible
  • 31% of staff admit they are not willing to put in effort beyond the norm
  • 30% of staff do not believe communication is good in their practice
  • 52% of staff do not believe they receive on-going communications about their performance
  • 52% of staff believe poor performers are not managed effectively
  • 53% of both staff and vets believe they/their teams would be happy to spend the rest of their career with their practice
  • 43% of staff do not believe everyone is treated equally
  • 85% of practice owners believe everyone in their team is treated equally
  • 17% of staff admit to actively looking for a new position
  • 20% of nurses believe they are not given sufficient freedom to provide a personal service to their customers
  • 51% of staff do not have a personal development plan
  • 69% of employed vets do not believe their pay and performance are linked
  • 17% of staff are actively looking for a new position
  • 15% are unsure about their intentions to stay

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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...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.