Close but not the cigar …

A big thank you to the 1000 + vets who voted for me in the RCVS election. Not quite enough to get over the line but a respectable result. Meantime the campaign for common sense continues. 

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How Does Second Victim Syndrome Affect (veterinary) Surgeons?

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  This is reprinted from a human medical publication.  IMHO it is just as applicable to vets. It's a longish read but well worth it. How Does Second Victim Syndrome Affect Surgeons? Joël Pitre, Dr | 04 April 20 24 Second victim syndrome  (SVS) refers to the trauma experienced by a healthcare provider following a  medical complication or error . It is estimated that nearly 50% of healthcare providers will face this syndrome at least once in their career. Moreover, as much as 20% of hospitalized patients may experience a complication. Some specialties are particularly exposed to SVS, including surgery, obstetrics and gynecology. Most published research does not focus on surgical specialties, even though surgeons face stressful situations and technical challenges daily, making them particularly susceptible to SVS. Strength and emotional control are part of the typical surgeon stereotype. Consequently, the occurrence of a surgical complication is most often approached only from a techn
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The Famous Five.

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'RCVS council elections could be scrapped in a governance shake-up that may help to secure long-sought reform of veterinary sector legislation.' So says the Vet Times. Voting is old hat apparently. According to the RCVS and their supporters  the way forward is by scrapping the final, threadbare vestiges of democratic accountability and handing everything over to appointees. Sounds legit. The appointments process, like everything the  RCVS  does, will be totally transparent of course ... totally ... and if you believe that I have a bridge to sell you.  The College doesn't like sharing information so we are unlikely to know which of those paragons of democracy are trying to disenfranchise us (update*) . However reading between the lines I think we can safely number the following fab five on the side of the angels.  Stephen May; S aid he was worried about the risk of a lack of accountability. Olivia Cook;  Warned that it could also reinforce perceptions of a college  ivory t
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So where are they putting the Throne Room ?

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  College spends £20 million on extravagant new HQ - see here Who cares if the practicing profession is on its knees, be of good cheer, the RCVS has just purchased its new HQ in fashionable Clerkenwell, home to global mega-brands such as  Fred Perry , Unilever , Microsoft  and Linkedin.  A snip at £20 million   it boasts 20,000 square feet of ‘media style offices’ and is well suited to ‘remote and hybrid working.’ Which begs the question, if the future emphasis will be on remote and hybrid working, why did we not buy the same space for a third of the price in Leeds or Manchester ?  It would be nice to know what arguments were advanced and by whom to justify this grotesque indulgence  (Pay up suckers) Perhaps the ‘stylish glass box penthouse with sensational views across Central London,’  (see background photo), or the 'Fashionable residential schemes, boutique hotels and high-class restaurants with an unparalleled choice of cuisines,' had something to do with it.  Unfortunate
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