Earlier this year, I was invited back to Bristol Vet School to give a lecture to Farm Animal Veterinary Society (FAVS) Congress 2023. While there, I spoke to lots of enthusiastic students about their career aspirations. The congress took place shortly after National FAVS had launched their report: ‘Why are UK vet students choosing not to become farm vets after graduation?’ (Owen, 2023). The report made me consider conversations I have had with the students on final year rotations at work and at the FAVS Congress, and our role in inspiring and supporting the next generation. This does not just relate to extra-mural studies but also how vets and the profession are presented in all forms of media.
Over 40% of students surveyed in the FAVS report did not feel represented within the farm animal veterinary sector, with the second most commonly reported reason being that they came from a ‘non-farming background’. I am proud to have entered this profession from a non-farming background, as have many of my colleagues, so why does this perception about our sector remain? Can we champion this more both to students and more widely to the public?
Another important recent document is the decision to approve new ‘under care’ and out-of-hours service guidance (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, 2023). There has been much discussion about the potential impact of this decision – notably for production animal veterinarians, both BCVA (2023) and BVA (2023) have raised concerns about the impact that remote prescribing may have on the vet–client–patient or vet–farmer relationship.
The full impact of this decision will likely take years to become visible. However, I wonder what effect this will have on the responsible use of antimicrobials, the one-health relationship with medical colleagues and work to combat growing levels of antimicrobial resistance. To an extent farm vets may already undertake some remote prescribing, but this comes with significant knowledge of that client's farm business, herd/flock health and welfare, likely follows an extensive annual (or more frequent) health plan, and involves close communication and follow up with the client.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (2023) made amendments following consultations to create a number of safeguards, claiming that practices ‘…should have the facility to physically examine the animal and/or visit the premises…’ and that vets are required to undertake a physical exam in a number of defined criteria including ‘… prescribing antimicrobials and controlled drugs unless there are exceptional circumstances.’
It was promising to see the launch of the first Responsible use of Medicines Alliance – Companion Animal & Equine (2022) report, and companies releasing small animal antibiotic use reports (VetPartners, 2022) to increase the visibility and accountability of antimicrobial prescribing in other sectors. I would like to see all the veterinary corporates following suit. Veterinary surgeons often face frustration from clients when they do not or will not prescribe antimicrobials. As public awareness of ‘under care’ guidance and remote prescribing rises after our profession's ‘watershed moment’ (BVA, 2023), I hope that the new guidance does not lead to increased public pressure for remote prescription of antibiotics and undermine the work done to date.