What's our view?

Our position calls for significant reform. Alongside the switch to an entirely outcomes-based approach, we’re calling for improved quality assurance of placements, and a zero-tolerance policy on harassment and discrimination which should be standardised across all the vet schools. We’d also like to see the development of standardised training and support for providers of placements.

We’re calling for:

• RCVS to amend the standards and procedures for the accreditation of veterinary degrees to allow for an outcomes-based approach. Central to this approach should be the development of professional identity.
• RCVS to remove the fixed time commitment requirement from AHEMS and clinical EMS.
• There to be an individualised experience as part of personalised learning, recognising that everyone’s needs, starting point and goals will be different. Each vet school should develop a structure whereby students are engaged in setting personalised objectives ahead of placements, with more effective mechanisms for feedback built into each placement.
• RCVS to consider ways to align the administrative burdens for practices that support the delivery of EMS, Vet GDP and vet nurse Approved Training Practices.
• RCVS to equality impact assess any policy changes proposed to EMS.
• There to be a zero-tolerance policy on harassment and discrimination, which is standardised across all the vet schools.
• RCVS to develop standardised training for providers to set objectives, provide feedback and engage with students. This should be delivered as CPD. There should be a shorter course available for those providers who have undertaken other training, such as VetGDP or IMR providers.
• Quality assurance of placements to be done in a way that minimises administrative burdens and does not create a barrier to engaging with the system. RCVS should explore how the structures of the Practice Standards Scheme could be used for this purpose.
• A national matching service to be explored by RCVS. Should such a project be initiated it is important to learn from the experiences of all relevant stakeholders including students, providers, and vet schools - particularly EMS coordinators who run existing databases and are experts in the demands of running these systems.
• Vet schools to provide support and guidance for providers on discrimination, harassment and bullying during placements. These elements should also be addressed within RCVS training for providers.