Tag: Veterinary Defence Society

  • Mr Management

    Mr Management

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    There’s a scene in one of my favourite TV shows of all time, The Wire, in which soon-to-be mayor Tommy Carcetti is talking to one of Baltimore’s past mayors about what to expect in the job. Being a mayor, the older veteran explains to Carcetti, involves eating “bowls of sh*t”, one after another, day after…

  • An abbreviation too far?

    An abbreviation too far?

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    We love an abbreviation in the veterinary world. CBA, RTA, TTA – just hopefully not all on the same patient, or all at the same time. To laypeople, medical notes must seem like another language. Therefore, it’s no surprise, when said laypeople request access to their records, that these notes rarely hold the answer. So…

  • Stitches

    Stitches

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    Legality within the veterinary profession can be a bit of a minefield, especially when it comes to things like drug licensing. This leaves many new graduates in fear of doing something against the law without even realising. However, while some veterinary legal principles are complicated but clear, others are genuinely vague, leaving us unsure on…

  • The consequences of making a mistake

    The consequences of making a mistake

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    Fertility work makes up a large proportion of cattle veterinary work in the UK and, after spending a month on the farm rotation at university, I can appreciate the importance of getting it right – and how hard it can be. Experienced large animal vets make it look easy – they scan the uterus and…

  • Stronger together

    Stronger together

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    As regular readers of my blog will be aware, I was at the amazing #vetfutures last month. I’ve already written about the great day and the brilliant plans for #VNFutures. But there’s something I haven’t told you, because I wanted some time to reflect (and log that in my PDP). While I’ve been here spouting…

  • Work hard, play hard

    Work hard, play hard

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    At the end of January I travelled down to Nottingham for the third annual Student Equine Veterinary Association (SEVA) symposium. The weekend was crammed with lectures, practicals and seminars relevant to horses in particular, for equine enthusiasts from all UK vet schools – and even some from further afield. Auspicious start Any congregation of vet…

  • The VN status debate

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    I am currently stuck at home with a bad back, so I’ve had plenty of time to read a debate on Vet Nurse about the list for veterinary nurses being phased out in favour of the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses. It is an emotive topic and members of this forum seem to be showing…

  • Communication and memory

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    I often see new graduate workshops and tutorials advertised where the seminar leaders address the problems of communication. Similar events are offered to older codgers, too. I’ve been to a couple; the Veterinary Defence Society points out the majority of complaints it handles involve some form of breakdown in communication. The speakers often lay the blame squarely…