The RCVS has published two preliminary reports which bring together the quantitative and qualitative research it has conducted into the current workforce crisis in the profession. 

Lizzie Lockett, RCVS CEO, said: “It’s clear that there are a number of workforce issues affecting the professions, such as high vacancy rates that employers are struggling to fill and a resultant increase in pressure on the professions in terms of caseload and hours worked, together with an increase in the number of people choosing to leave the professions.

“While many of these issues are long-standing, and due to complex and multifactorial reasons, the scale of the problem has been exacerbated by three things: the UK’s exit from the EU and the impact this has had on overseas registrants; the ongoing impact of the pandemic in areas such as staff absence and burnout; and an increase in demand for veterinary services.

The reports were published in advance of the College's Workforce Summit, held at the end of November to discuss potential solutions to the problems. 

They can be downloaded here: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/events/workforce-summit-2021/

A further report of the Workforce Summit is expected in due course, which the College says will include an action plan with commitments from a range of stakeholders. 

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