FIVP Practice Matters

Welcome back to Practice Matters, the FIVP podcast where we explore the ideas, innovations, and frontline experiences helping independent practices thrive!In this episode, we tackle a major environmental footprint hiding in plain sight within our prep rooms and theatres: anaesthetic gases. Volatile agents like isoflurane and sevoflurane are potent greenhouse gases, but reducing their impact doesn't have to mean sacrificing patient safety—or your bottom line.Joining us is VICTORIA PLIMMER, an RVN with a passion for clinical auditing and greener practice and founder of Victoria Plimmer Consultancy. Together, we unpack:Debunking the "Cost vs. Green" Myth: How sustainable choices boost profitability.Quick Wins: Low-hanging fruit for immediate, low-budget implementation.Low-Flow Safety: How to transition safely using essential monitoring tools and capnography.Nurse-Led Workflow: Empowering RVNs to lead culture changes and optimize workflows.Tune in to learn how small, data-driven changes can create a greener, more cost-effective clinic today!As ever, we would love to hear from your practice – send us a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65For more information - www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-plimmer-rvn or VictoriaPlimmer

In this episode of Practice Matters, we sit down with HANNAH GODFREY from VetLed to explore how simulations training is revolutionising team performance in independent veterinary practices. High-pressure emergencies can easily trigger communication breakdowns, clinical errors, and immense staff stress. Hannahexplains how independent practices can adopt immersive, aviation-style simulations to practice these critical scenarios in a safe, zero-risk environment.The discussion centres on VetLed's "Train the Trainer" approach, which equips practice leaders with the skills to design realistic emergency scenarios and facilitate constructive, blame-free debriefs. Listeners will learn how understanding "Human Factors"—the science of how teams interact under stress—can transform everyday clinical workflows, case reviews, and practice culture. Tune in to discover how your independent practice can adopt simulations training to build a highly resilient, collaborative team, elevate patient safety, and significantly protect staff wellbeing.As ever, we'd love to hear from your practice. Send us a voice note, via WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65https://www.vetled.co.uk/courses-services/supporting-your-team-to-perform-under-pressure-open-course

Welcome to a vital bonus episode of Practice Matters,the podcast dedicated to supporting, celebrating, and defending the UK’s independent veterinary sector.Today, we are tackling a critical issue sending shockwavesthrough independent clinics nationwide: the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) draft mandatory poster. While presented as a push for transparency, its prominent claim that medicines are "significantly cheaper online"oversimplifies the pharmacy process, ignores vital cross-subsidisation, and threatens to erode client trust.To break down what this means for your daily schedule,fees, and staff wellbeing, host Ian Wolstenholme is joined by ADRIAN WARD, vet and principal at Neighbourhood Vet in Gosport. Together, they discuss the operational fallout, the danger of frontline abuse, and why independent practices must demand a redraft before the public consultation closes on 20th August. Tune in to discover how to make your voice heard!Link to CMA Consultation to respond: https://connect.cma.gov.uk/consultations/draft-substantive-order-and-undertakings

Suicide and mental health crisis are not abstract risks in veterinary practice — they are realities our profession must face head on. Since April 2026, the RCVS now requires every practice to have a formal Suicide Prevention Plan in place, andyet many teams still don't know where to start.In this episode of Practice Matters, we're joined by Dr HANNAH PERRIN, to explore what meaningful suicide prevention actually looks like within a veterinary setting.We'll be discussing how to create and implement a Suicide Prevention Plan that goes beyond box-ticking — one that equips you and your whole team with the knowledge, language, and confidence to act when it matters most.This is an essential listen for practice owners, managers, and anyone who cares about the wellbeing of the people they work alongside.As ever, we would love to hear from YOUR practice – send us a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65For more information about the workshops mentioned, visit https://clarity-pro.co.uk/product/suicide-prevention-workshop/If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, please contact:https://www.samaritans.org/https://helpline.vetlife.org.uk/

Welcome back to Practice Matters, the podcast that champions independent veterinary practices and the brilliant people within them. In this episode, we're reflecting on FIVP's recent appearance at the University of Liverpool Vet School's Career Fair in May. It was a fantastic opportunity for us to get in front of the next generation of veterinary professionals and share what makes independent practice such a rewarding and fulfilling career path.From clinical autonomy to genuine community connection, we were there to fly the flag for independents and show students that there's a vibrant, values-driven alternative to the corporate route. We'll share some highlights and thoughts from the day. We've also got updates on two things worth knowing about: BERNARD FROST provides details of the upcoming BSAVA LUMOS platform, a fresh approach to CPD that's generating real buzz across the profession, and we shine a spotlight on new FIVP member Ardsley Vets, a brand new independentpractice in West Yorkshire. And if you would like YOUR practice to be featured onPractice Matters, simply send us a voice note or message to 07709 83 68 65