FIVP Practice Matters

Welcome to Practice Matters, the podcast from FIVP exploring the trends shaping the future of independent veterinary care.In this episode, we continue our conversations around Human Factors with guests HELEN SILVER-MCMAHON and MEGAN DAVIS from Being Human, an organisation empowering high-pressure sectors to enhance safety and workplace culture. While clinical excellence is vital, how teams function together ultimately drives patient safety, client trust, and staff retention.We look at the work that Being Human have conducted around similarities between the veterinary and legal professions. Seems we are not alone!Whether you run an independent practice or work on the front lines, you'll discover how human factors can transform your team’s performance and daily wellbeing.If you missed Part 1 of the conversation you can catchup here.  As ever, we'd love to hear from your practice about how you have implemented human factors. Why not send us a voice message to 07709 83 68 65 and be part of the conversation.For more details about Human Factors visit:Veterinary | Human Factors Training Solutions | Being Human

Welcome to Practice Matters, the podcast from FIVP exploring the trends shaping the future of independent veterinary care. In this episode, we do dive into Human Factors - the crucial intersection of communication, teamwork, decision-making, and wellbeing under pressure.  While clinical excellence is vital, how teams function together ultimately drives patient safety, client trust, and staff retention.We’re joined by HELEN SILVER-MCMAHON and MEGAN DAVIS from Being Human, an organisation empowering high-pressure sectors to enhance safety and workplace culture. Together, we discuss what human factors look like in a busy practice, how systems thinking shifts teams away from blame, and actionable ways leaders can foster psychological safety and curb subtle incivility.  Plus, we explore surprising parallels and shared lessons between the veterinary and legal professions.Whether you run an independent practice or workon the front lines, tune in to discover how human factors can transform your team’s performance and daily wellbeing.Much to cover over this two-episode special around human factors and, as always, we would love to hear from your practice about how you implement these ideas.  Why not send us a voice message to 07709 83 68 65 and be part of the conversation.For more details about Human Factors visit:⁠Veterinary | Human Factors Training Solutions | Being Human

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