Associated bodies
British Veterinary Association (BVA)
Just as veterinary students are the lifeblood of the profession, the AVS is a key division of the BVA, and our relationship is increasingly important. During my presidential year (and as President Elect) it was an honour to get to know the AVS team. I particularly valued the Officers’ enthusiasm for the BVA as an organisation, their interest in veterinary politics, and their commitment to the future of the profession. I envy their ability!
Ours is a small profession and that has its advantages and disadvantages. One major advantage is that vets at every stage of their careers (including undergraduates) can easily meet and learn from others from across the broad spectrum of veterinary science. That’s why I have always championed student members being involved in our events – and we’ve had a lot of fun too!
The BVA and AVS both have a huge amount to offer vet students. As the issue of tuition fees continues to hit the headlines we will keep fighting for a fair deal for veterinary students, who have the additional financial burdens of longer courses and EMS. We will work hard to ensure that no one is deterred from entering veterinary science because of financial concerns.
The work of the BVA’s education subgroup extends way beyond the issue of fees. It helps shape the way veterinary education is structured. AVS reps on the subgroup make sure that the voice and experience of current students is heard loud and clear. Currently we are looking at the possibility of developing a practice database for EMS and have recently completed the review of EMS guides for students and practitioners.
A highlight of any BVA President’s year is AVS Congress. It happens near the start of the BVA presidential year and I know it gave me a real boost for the months to come. AVS members are the future committee members, council members and officers of the BVA so it’s important that we work closely together.
I have hugely valued the input of AVS to BVA as well as the excellent links I have made personally with AVS committee members. I know my successor Harvey Locke is keen to continue that relationship and work closely with students.
I wish AVS every success as it continues to grow its membership and its reach and activities.
Professor Bill Reilly
BVA President 2009-10
The European Union:
Animals + Humans = One health
A new Animal Health Strategy for the European Union (2007 - 2013) where 'Prevention is better than cure'.
The Association of Veterinary Students would like to commend the European Commission and DG SANCO for there involvement of Veterinary Students from all across Europe in decision making and promotion of this initiative, which included a 2 day student conference in Brussels (November 15-16, 2010).
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
As veterinary students, most of you will become veterinary surgeons in the UK, which is to enter a profession regulated by the RCVS.
Once your names have been added to the RCVS Register of Veterinary Surgeons, you might consider it your aim to avoid us. After all, it’s well known that we investigate complaints about vets and can strike vets off the Register.
Making vets’ lives difficult is not our purpose, however, and there are many ways in which we support and can help you achieve your ambitions to become good vets.
As undergraduates, the veterinary education you receive is quality-assured through the checks we make during our visitations to the veterinary schools and by monitoring trends, for example, in vet schools’ caseloads and staffing levels. Some of you may have already contributed to your schools’ visitation. This quality assurance ensures that the public – and not least your future employers – can be confident that new veterinary graduates have the ‘Day One’ competences that are the threshold for safe practice.
Once qualified, you are expected to develop and update your skills and knowledge throughout your working lives (a process called continuing professional development, or CPD). For new graduates, the first stage of your CPD is the obligatory Professional Development Phase (PDP) whereby you should continue to develop your professional competence in a conscientious and structured way until you feel confident that you are working at ‘Year One’ level. RCVS provides an online recording system on which you can make a note of your clinical experience as well as add notes on how you are progressing professionally. You can use this to help structure progress meetings with your employer and to see on which areas you need to concentrate most. You can see a preview: http://pdp.rcvs.org.uk.
Throughout the PDP, you can compare your progress with that of the rest of your graduate cohort, and receive oversight from a postgraduate dean who we will allocate to you. The PDP is also required preparation for RCVS postgraduate qualifications.
New vets also need workplaces which give appropriate support and experience, and which demonstrate good practice. So, when you’re looking for that important first job, you might like to know that the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) – a voluntary quality-assurance scheme for veterinary practices – accredits only practices which plan and monitor PDP and CPD completion. You can find PSS-accredited practices on www.findavet.org.uk.
Vets are also expected to keep to the provisions of the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons. This may not seem the most exciting reading, but do make sure you get to know it thoroughly as it sets out the professional standards expected of veterinary surgeons and is referred to when we consider complaints.
You can read the Guide on our website (www.rcvs.org.uk) and we send universities copies for students nearing the end of their courses. Annual updates are sent to all vets, but the online version is always the most up-to-date.
Once qualified, if you have any questions about your professional responsibilities, then get in touch. We take calls and emails every day from vets, and it’s far better to ask us for help at an early stage than to risk becoming the subject of a complaint. You can ring our switchboard (020 7222 2001) or use the departmental numbers and email addresses on our website.
To regulate a profession unfortunately does cost money, and the regulatory costs are met from the fees vets pay to join and remain on the Register. We also have a Royal College role, under which we award postgraduate certificates, diplomas, fellowships and veterinary nursing qualifications and run the Practice Standards Scheme. These activities are directly funded by specific fees charged for them.
Our separate, charitable arm, the RCVS Trust, provides vets and veterinary nurses with library and information services, and makes educational grants.
International Veterinary Students Association (IVSA)
As part of your AVS membership benefits you are a member of the International Veterinary Students Association (IVSA). Established in 1951 in Denmark, IVSA aims to benefit the animals and people of the world through advancement in veterinary knowledge and education. The IVSA achieves these aims via a winter symposium and summer congress. It also proudly supports both a scholarship fund and a development fund granting great opportunities to students and vet schools in underdeveloped countries. The IVSA also promotes the transfer of knowledge and skills through both individual and group student exchange programmes.
It gives me great pleasure to introduce you to the IVSA here, if you have not already heard of us before. My personal experience of IVSA has been nothing but rewarding. Since my first year at Vet School IVSA has been an excellent vehicle for me to travel and to form lifelong friendships all around the world. It has helped me to develop my independence personally and my motivation academically through an appreciation of what being a vet is in different cultures and societies; and on a global level! The coming year marks the 60th Anniversary of the IVSA and I consider myself to be a very lucky person to be president of IVSA UK and Ireland at this time. It is extremely poignant at this milestone that the IVSA summer congress 2011 will be held in South Korea. This marks the first global congress in Asia since our founding and promises to be a stimulating 10 days of IVSA general assemblies, workshops, lectures, socialising and cultural experiences.
Lucy Bright
President IVSA UK and Ireland
4th year student, Nottingham
IVSA website
IVSA on Facebook
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