This article examines the causes and challenges of workforce shortages in the veterinary sector and proposes solutions on resolving this.
Workforce Shortages in the UK Veterinary Sector
For the last few years, the UK veterinary sector has been experiencing significant workforce shortages, which have led to concerns about the sustainability of veterinary services across the country. These shortages affect various types of veterinary roles, including those in general practice, emergency and critical care, and specialist services.
The EFRA Committee recently wrote to the Government to start addressing these concerns. However, due to the recent change of Government the outcome of this request is unclear.
There are several factors that have impacted the sector and have steadily increased workforce shortages over the last few years.
Causes of Workforce Shortages in the UK Veterinary Sector
Brexit:
The UK has historically relied on veterinarians from EU countries to fill gaps in the workforce. However, Brexit has led to a reduction in the number of EU nationals working in the UK, exacerbating the shortage.
Whilst not the root cause of veterinary staffing issues as there is a global issue of veterinary professionals there is no denying that Brexit has had an impact within the UK. Stricter immigration policies and the loss of automatic recognition of EU veterinary qualifications have made it more difficult for EU-trained vets to work in the UK. Data from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) shows that annually, the number of qualified vets moving to work in the UK has dropped by 68% between 2019 and 2021.
COVID-19 Pandemic:
With the introduction of lockdowns and working from home, the pandemic saw a surge in pet ownership, leading to higher demand for veterinary services. This sudden increase in workload has strained an already overstretched workforce.
Many sectors have seen their workforces affected by the pandemic, and veterinary professionals have been particularly impacted, experiencing increased stress and burnout. This has led to higher rates of early retirement, career changes, and reduced working hours.
Educational issues and concerns:
The number of veterinary graduates in the UK has not kept pace with the growing demand for services. The number of students applying to participate in veterinary courses has dropped by 10% since 2022. Major factors that have contributed to this decline include the increase in tuition fees, lack of bursaries and restrictions on international students.
There has also been an increase in many veterinary students and early-career veterinarians leave the profession due to the work’s demanding nature, contributing to long-term shortages.
Economic and Working Conditions:
Despite the high level of skill required, some veterinary roles are perceived as being underpaid, particularly in relation to the workload and the emotional toll of the job. This has led to difficulties in retaining staff.
The profession is known for its long hours and high-pressure environment, which can deter potential candidates, and along with being perceived as an underpaid profession, has contributed to high turnover rates.
Regulatory Changes:
Increased regulatory requirements, such as those related to animal welfare and public health, have added to the workload of veterinary practices, requiring more staff without necessarily providing the resources to hire them.
Challenges Posed by the Shortages
With the number of issues arising from veterinary professional shortages, listed below are some of the major impacts these are causing.
Impact on animal welfare:
With fewer veterinarians available, the quality and timeliness of care can suffer, potentially leading to worse health outcomes for animals.
Increased workload for existing staff:
The remaining veterinary workforce faces increased pressure, leading to further burnout and job dissatisfaction, creating a vicious cycle of attrition.
Reduced access to services:
Veterinary practices, especially in rural areas, may have to reduce their hours or services, making it harder for pet owners and farmers to access necessary care.
Economic impact:
The agricultural sector, which relies on veterinary services for the health of livestock, may face economic challenges if these services are not readily available, potentially affecting food supply chains.
Potential Solutions to tackle the issue of vet shortages in the UK
There are three main initiatives that have been put into place to combat veterinery shortages:
The Workforce Action Plan
The Workforce Action Plan, published by Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, has set out seven ambitions to help with workforce shortages. Some of their key strategies include:
- Greater responsibility for veterinary nurses – giving them more autonomy and reducing such a heavy reliance on vets in order to carry out procedures and make decisions within the practice.
- Shape leaders at all levels – promoting inclusive everyday leadership to try and reduce the burden on practising vets at all levels.
- Welcoming a modern way of working – promoting return-to-work support for clinical and non-clinical veterinary roles.
- Addressing the workforce shortages in the UK veterinary sector will require coordinated efforts across multiple areas, including education, policy, workplace culture, and international cooperation.
The Mind Matters Initiative
This is an initiative that was launched in 2015 to support those working within the veterinary sector, ranging from students to veterinary surgeons and practice managers.
It offers support, resources and courses, and mental health awareness training to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace.
Vet Graduate Development Programme
This programme was established to support newly qualified vets, providing them with a period of structured assistance as they transition from university to employment.
They provide VetGDP Advisers who work with veterinary graduates to help them feel more at ease in their new roles, help build confidence and reduce anxiety.
What Else Can Be Done to Support Veterinary Professionals?
There should be a focus on veterinary professionals to be supported at all stages. Including at university level, students may be given a mentor so that when they graduate and start practicing as a vet, they will have a support system already built in.
Employers may help to facilitate more flexible working hours or part-time roles for those who wish to make this transition. Finally, there needs to be more understanding by pet owners to be less demanding in their requests from vets. This can be done by keeping in mind the pressures that are already put on the UK staff.
Due to the recent General Election and change of Government, we will await with anticipation on what proposals and changes will be brought forward over the coming years and months to tackle these issues.
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Sources:
https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork
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