After taking up the reins as BEVA President in September, we caught up with Lucy Grieve to find out more about what to expect from the coming year, how she has adapted to COVID-19 and an update on the Obesity Project.
What has this year got in store for you as BEVA President?
I’m looking forward to taking up the gauntlet of negotiating the turbulent times ahead as successfully as possible, and in doing so continuing the good work done by Tim Mair and the rest of the team.
Tackling the effects COVID-19 is having on the equine veterinary industry will be an ongoing challenge, as we all know. Critically we need to maintain the high standard of care and service to clients and patients whilst helping businesses remain financially stable, jobs secure and practices a safe place to work.
Of course, where there are challenges there are opportunities, and perhaps these times will give us all a chance to improve how we work. I have seen practices address business efficiency with great effect, and even more striking has been the recognition and appreciation demonstrated between individuals and teams within practices. The sense of camaraderie has been incredible!
Brexit is not necessarily something I am looking forward to dealing with, but here we are, and we again have to seize opportunities for improving how things work for us as an industry. BEVA’s representation and its relationship with other stakeholders is the strongest it’s been and so I feel optimistic that as an industry we will achieve the best outcomes possible.
An unexpected opportunity that has risen from COVID-19 is how CPD has evolved. BEVA have pulled out all the innovative stops to grow the learning platform and disseminate information to members. See page 10 for more information.
How are you coping with the “new normal” as an ambulatory vet?
I was furloughed at the beginning so I went through the initial period enjoying time with the kids and sorting out the garden. After a while I started to feel a bit out of the loop and isolated, which was something echoed by others in online forums.
It feels like we have been moving towards some sort of normality but clearly everything has a sense of transience. Working outdoors has been a blessing and something I am grateful for as an ambulatory vet. As medical professionals we have a good understanding of hygiene and biosecurity which allows us to adapt quickly to new rules and regulations.
The one thing I have noticed, even for an ambulatory vet, is that the job has become more isolated. I think it is important to remember that this may have an impact on some more than others, and keeping in touch with each other is important.
Considering the impact of COVID-19, what are BEVA’s priorities for the year?
What’s always been nice about BEVA and equine vets in general, is the sense of friendship and community whilst maintaining professionalism – never is this more evident and palpable as during Congress. It won’t be easy to achieve that in these strange times where group socialising isn’t possible, but I hope that by way of online discussion forums and social media we can achieve something close to this.
Equine practice is likely to see increasing demand for flexibility in the workplace. The current climate emphasises the need to support vulnerable members of the team, and those with young/old dependants, who may encounter greater challenges than before in juggling work and personal life. Encouraging employers and employees to work together to achieve mutually beneficial solutions will become an important part of equine practice which BEVA hopes to support and facilitate where possible. BEVA is always listening to its members and is open to ideas about how it can help members during these difficult times.
Cancelling Congress this year was a huge blow and the disappointment could be felt by all. With our sights now set on making Congress 2021 one to remember we must still be prepared for the restrictions preventing a return to the original format. The team are determined to deliver something as good as, if not better than normal (now that will be hard to achieve!).
Can you give us an update on the BEVA Obesity Project you’re leading?
Unfortunately the pilot we ran at the beginning of 2020 was cut short due to COVID-19 meaning the data we gathered wasn’t as extensive as we hoped, however the feedback we did get was very promising.
A discussion forum chaired by Tamzin Furtado emphasised the importance of increasing engagement between owners and vets. For owners, there is not a lack of information out there about the impact of obesity and how it can be treated. The biggest hurdle is getting owners to recognise that their horse is overweight, which is something vets cannot resolve single-handedly. Instead we must help owners to consider and critically assess the weight of their horse and then we can provide them with simple instructions on how to tackle it. Broaching the subject in a friendly but assertive manner is difficult for vets, but we hope to further explore ways of incorporating weight into routine consultations.
Obesity is just one of the many topics where I would like to see BEVA supporting vets by providing access to the best, most up to date information available. If we can collectively improve equine welfare we are achieving our primary objective as a profession.
What three things would you like every member to know?
1. Carrying out the task of representation are the unsung heroes of the Council volunteers and BEVA staff who work tirelessly to ensure the membership is fairly and truly represented at every opportunity. The individuals who contribute deserve recognition for the hard work that goes on both behind the scenes and when required to put their heads above the parapet. Representation occurs not only on an industry level but much farther afield and often requires government lobbying. The relationships forged over the years particularly by our reliable and level-headed CEO, David Mountford, have proved invaluable time after time. It is thanks to this work that so much has been and will be achieved.
2. BEVA has a wealth of online resources and I urge everyone to explore what is there. BEVA recognises we are a time-poor profession who crave bite-size delivery of information on current affairs, education and new developments.
3. BEVA are doing everything we can to to be able to deliver practical CPD, the team are continually reviewing Government guidelines and have introduced new booking terms. BEVA hopes to remain an anchored source of reliability and support for members, whatever the future delivers.
Lucy would like to make a special mention to Celia Marr, congratulating her on becoming an Honorary Member of BEVA for her outstanding contribution to the profession.