From Jennie Jones, VCMS

For many this year, Christmas will be a time (whether we like it or not) for a well-earned rest after a tumultuous period in all our lives. 

For veterinary practices, care will continue over the Christmas period. With renewed and revised restrictions in place across the UK, practice teams and animal owners are once again navigating these challenges. 

Everyone is feeling the strain and pressures caused by the pandemic, and when an animal is unwell, the anxiety levels increase further. 

During this period, vets will continue to deliver emergency care and will once again, be adjusting their practices to keep both their teams and clients safe. 

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the British Veterinary Association (BVA) have issued updated guidance in light of recent developments. The distance needed to help keep us safe can make interactions and communication harder. The VCMS team have worked incredibly hard this year to help practices and owners to resolve escalating complaints, and often communication is at the very heart of the issue. 

I would like to thank them for all, and also to the owners and practices who have worked with us to resolve disputes collaboratively. 

As we approach this festive period, the VCMS echoes the message from the RCVS and BVA – trust your vet and if you are unsure, please ask the questions, share your worries and listen to your vet and their team. If you can talk through your worries (in a COVID-secure way), we can avoid increased upset in the long run and keep the best interests of animals at the forefront. 

The VCMS would like to wish all veterinary practices, animal owners and our stakeholders a merry Christmas and a safe, healthy new year.