Veterinary leaders issue rallying call for colleagues to #BeKind

Officers and senior staff of the leading veterinary and nursing bodies have published an open letter to colleagues decrying the use of “derogatory and offensive language” used in online vet forums.

In the letter – provided in full below – leaders accept the need for challenge and criticism of their views and actions but warn against the use of personal attacks that could prevent people from putting themselves forward for leadership roles in the future.

The letter, co-signed by representatives from BVA, RCVS, AVS, BSAVA, BVZS, BVNA, SPVS, and VMG, suggests that such language “is wholly inappropriate and falls far short of the expectations of professionals.” It notes with concern that women, and people from minorities, often face the worst of it.

The letter was coordinated by BVA President Daniella Dos Santos, whose presidential theme is #VetDiversity. She said:

“Online veterinary forums can be a fantastic place for us to share ideas or concerns and support one another but they can also have a darker side. I’ve become increasingly aware of people using forums and other social media to attack and criticise individuals who I know are working hard for our profession.

“I’ve personally been on the receiving end of it, being described as foul, lacking in integrity, incompetent, unsuitable to lead, rotten, idiot, shameful, corrupt or a token. But I know colleagues who have faced far worse and enough is enough.

“It’s high time we collectively speak up and I’m incredibly grateful to those who have co-signed this open letter to our colleagues. Every single vet or vet nurse who volunteers or works as an officer or committee member within the veterinary sphere and all of our lay colleagues work hard on behalf of our professions.

“Our key message is that the mantra to #BeKind, that is so prevalent in our veterinary community, extends to those in leadership positions too.

An open letter to our colleagues

We are a mixture of volunteers and paid professionals, who give our time to lead and support the veterinary professions, and we are extremely honoured to be able to do so.

But we are increasingly concerned about the tone of some of the debates that are taking place in the veterinary world, particularly by the disparaging and demeaning language used against us or our colleagues.

As leaders in the professions, representing various different organisations, we absolutely expect to receive criticism and challenge of the work we do. But the right to criticise and challenge does not extend to the right to personally attack us as individuals.

Some of the most useful and informative discussions we have are those where our views and actions are questioned with dignity and respect. But the use of derogatory and offensive language to describe or refer to us as individuals is simply not acceptable.

Personal attacks and vilification could also make tomorrow’s leaders think twice before putting their name forward for such roles and subjecting themselves to such treatment by their peers. We might never know what a loss this could be for the future direction and advancement of our professions.

This behaviour is particularly prevalent in online forums, where closed groups and computer screens seem to embolden members of our professions to use language that is wholly inappropriate and which falls far short of the expectations of professionals. As we have seen in the national political arena, we also note with concern that it is often our female colleagues, and those from minorities, who face the worst of it.

We welcome challenge and debate. But please remember that it is possible to disagree with a person or organisation without resorting to personal attacks. Before posting online, please consider how this may be interpreted by the recipient.

Our professions are rightly focused on mental health and wellbeing, and the work of the Mind Matters Initiative and Vetlife are excellent examples of what is being done in this area.

#BeKind extends to those in leadership positions too. 

List of signatories by organisation:

Katie Roberts: AVS President

David Charles: AVS Senior Vice President

Izzie Arthur: AVS Junior Vice President

Susan Paterson: BSAVA President

Phil Lhermette: BSAVA Senior Vice President

Ian Ramsey: BSAVA Vice President

Sheldon Middleton: BSAVA Junior Vice President

David Godfrey: BSAVA Hon Treasurer

Carl Gorman: BSAVA Hon Secretary

Amanda Stranack: BSAVA CEO

Daniella Dos Santos: BVA President

Simon Doherty: BVA Senior Vice President

James Russell: BVA Junior Vice President

Kathleen Robertson: BVA Scottish Branch President

Ifan Lloyd: BVA Welsh Branch President

Susan Cunningham: BVA Northern Ireland Branch President

David Calpin: BVA CEO

Jo Hinde: BVNA President

Wendy Nevis: BVNA Senior Vice President

Jo Oakden: BVNA Junior Vice President

Peter Kettlewell: BVZS President

Liz Mullineaux: BVZS Junior Vice President

Niall Connell: RCVS President

Amanda Boag: RCVS Senior Vice President

Mandisa Greene: RCVS Junior Vice President

Kit Sturgess: RCVS Treasurer

Lizzie Lockett: RCVS CEO

Anna Judson: SPVS President

Cat Curtis: SPVS Senior Vice President

Nick Lloyd: SPVS Junior Vice President

Nichola Watson: SPVS CEO

Richard Casey: VMG President

Gillian A Page: VMG Senior Vice President

Georgina Hills: VMG Junior Vice President

Miles Russell: VMG Finance Director