One of the many reasons for these FIVP Practice Matters podcasts is to shine a light on member practices. On this edition we catch up again with GARY KELLY from Warren House in the Midlands and hear about their new referral service - Vetemis - which offers a range of laparoscopic services which independent first-opinion clinics can access.
As ever, we would love to hear about what's going on in your practice. Send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65
Inevitably, no matter how things may run in general practice, from time-to-time there will be issues around price, service or treatment etc., and can, with a little in-house mediation, be resolved most of the time. But...if there's an impasse, what happens next?
JENNIE JONES, Head of the VCMS, joins Ian Wolstenholme for an overview of their services and how their independent impartial advice can help smooth troubled waters.
As ever, we would love to hear from your practice. Do send us a Voice Message via WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65
In this edition we mark that which, by her own admission, is the pinnacle of FIVP Chair RITA DINGWALL'S long and distinguished career in veterinary practice management.
Rita was presented with Honorary Associateship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons at the RCVS College Day in Westminster on 4th July 2025 and Practice Matters was there to talk with Rita about how the role of a practice manager has developed since she started as a practice secretary more than three decades ago!
We hear from some of Rita's friends and colleagues, all of whom send heartfelt and sincere congratulations on this very special recognition by the College.
A ever, we would love to hear your stories from practice life. Why not send us a Voice Note, via WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65.
Please note this episode contains discussions of abuse and animal abuse.
Abuse in any form is something we don’t often like to think of, let alone talk about, especially in a professional capacity and for members of a caring profession like veterinary, even just acknowledging that an animal’s injury may be deliberate can be incredibly challenging. Sadly, there is robust evidence that animals can also be abused in households where people are being abused.
On this episode of ‘Practice Matters’ we are joined by VICKI BETTON, Vice Chair and Trustee and also Director of Global Impact at iCatCare, who explains more about the work of the charity.
For more information please visit:
Links_Group_Brochure_7_2024.pdf
As always, we would love to hear from your practice. Why not let us know about your latest projects or experiences by sending a voice note via WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65
In this episode we meet HELEN SPIEGL from Helen Spiegl Photography who talks about the important considerations when it comes to practice imagery.
As a former veterinary nurse and having worked in veterinary sales, Helen is well placed to know what makes pets and owners tick and has won several prestigious awards for her photographs of 'all creatures great and small'.
Is your practice website sending the right impressions to clients and visitors? When is a selfie simply unacceptable?
Some fascinating insights into a works behind the lens.
As ever, we would love to hear from your practice about this, or any other topic where 'practice matters'. Send us a Voice Note on WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65
In this episode of the podcast in which Ian Wolstenholme talks with FIGEN MURRAY OBE. Figen lost her son Martyn Hett in the 2017 bombing atrocity at the Ariana Grande concert at Manchester. Since the tragedy Figen has been a prolific campaigner for events venues and businesses of all sizes to be aware of potential threats to life and how to act in those unexpected situations. She has contributed to hundreds of TV, radio and podcasts over the past 7 years and her personal journey (and that of Martyn's) recounted in many articles.
Why is this one different?
Put simply, when an invitation arrives to attend a free counter-terrorism training event in Manchester, it seems quite sensible to share the information with our veterinary colleagues. But - couple that with the (unexpected) story of a British Blue shorthair cat and the human-animal bond and we hope, that which potentially could be a very 'dry' practice and team security message, will make listeners really sit up and take notice.
The FREE online training which is referred to in this edition can be found here:
https://www.protectuk.police.uk/
https://www.protectuk.police.uk/martyns-law/good-security-practice
As ever, we would love to hear from your practice on this, or any other subject. Send a voice note or message to 07709 83 68 65.
Our guest on Practice Matters is ASHA CLEARWATER - a content coach, publisher and journalist - but perhaps known within the realms of the annual National Pet Month (NPM) as the friendly host behind the many 'NPM Live' online events.
As the 2025 ends (although as you'll hear, the initiative, in truth, runs year-round) we catch up with Asha to learn about what makes the veterinary sector's longest-running campaign of its type, successful.
As ever, we'd love to hear from your practice! Send us a Voice Note via WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65
The Animal Cancer Trust, founded in 2002, provides vital support to both pet owners and the veterinary team. In this episode we meet the CEO, DR VICKI ADAMS and one of the many volunteers at the charity, JOE FLANAGAN, and learn about their valuable work.
For more information visit:
https://www.animalcancertrustcharity.co.uk/
An opportunity at BSAVA Congress and Expo 2025 to catch up with JACK PEPLOE from Veterinary IT Services, following the launch of a brand new CPD stream this year, looking at how practices can improve their day-to-day efficiencies in many different ways.
Plus - how secure are your practice data systems? Jack (who is also a certified ethical hacker) offers up some advice.
Thoughts and comments? As ever, we would love to hear from your practice - send us a voice note to 07709 83 68 65
A sort of tale of two 'VUK's' in this episode of Practice Matters as we firstly get a snapshot of VUK (Verbund UnabhängigerKleintierkliniken) in Germany - a similar organisation to FIVP which supports independent vet practices there. We chat with EBERHARD HOCK and OLIVER VOLIN about the impact that corporate attention is making to the many small clinics there.
We also meet Vetlife UK ambassador OSCAR SINFIELD who tells us about his next mammoth cycling fundraiser for the charity and how your practice can become involved
https://www.vetlife.org.uk/tour-de-vet-school-2025/
https://www.justgiving.com/page/tour-de-vet-school?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
As always, if you have a story to share about what's happening in YOUR practice, why not send us a voice note via WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65.
With client communication figuring large on the list of likely 'remedies' by the CMA, this edition of Practice Matters looks at some of the digital tools which many independent practices are utilising. We catch up with VETS DIGITAL, VIDIVET and PETS APP for their top-tips around social and website media, telehealth and online booking services.
We'd love to hear about how inventive your business is being to make things as effective on the comms front for clients. Send us a Voice Note or message via WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65
In this episode vet and entrepreneur DR KATIE FORD explains coaching and mentoring and how it can be a major asset to the whole practice team.
We also meet executive coach MYLES DOWNEY. Will he be able to convince you that YOU are a genius?
For more information visit https://www.vetempowered.com
We return to SPVS Congress 2025 for this latest edition of the podcast and find out about Employee Owned Trusts with two practices who have approached things from different angles. Heart Vets Cardiology Referrals' DAVE DICKSON and JOANNE HARRIS, together with Pennard Vets' CEO MATT FLANN help to de-mystify this growth area.
Guide to Employee Owned Trusts
With the increase in new independent startup businesses, TRACEY MORBEY and STUART JEEVES from PetPlan explain how the provision of pet insurance arrangement for a new practice can sometimes be a last minute scramble and some of the things to consider in its implementation in the new business.
As ever, we would love to hear your comments, so please send us a Voice Note or message to 07709 83 68 65 about what you are doing in your practice.
The theme of the recent SPVS (Society of Practicing Veterinary Surgeons) 2025 Congress was 'Connect, Collaborate and Progress' and this edition of FIVP Practice Matters turns the spotlight on our large animal practice colleagues. We catch up with DR OWEN ATKINSON, owner of Dairy Veterinary Consultancy and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Cattle Health and Production who takes us on a journey of change from Vet 1.0 to 3.0.
The difficult issue of debt in the veterinary sector is discussed with director of DSL (Debtsolve) MIKE BROOKS who has a wake-up call as to how even the smallest of unpaid accounts can seriously damage your business.
Check out this useful calculator to see what he means!
In this episode vet and entrepreneur DR KATIE FORD turns our attention to personal finances amongst vet teams. Why is it taboo? How can finances affect your career journey? Lots of practical advice can be found at https://vetyou.co.uk
Don't forget you can sent us a voice message to 07709 836 865 - we would love to hear from your practice about this or any other subject.
What does the word 'sustainability' mean to your practice? In this edition, we welcome back Onswitch founder ALISON LAMBERT to discuss what a sustainable practice should be considering, as we progress through a forthcoming year of changes in the veterinary space.
In this episode we catch up with a member practice - Westport Veterinary Clinic in Edinburgh and their Clinic Manager FIONA LEATHERS RVN. As one of the participants in the pilot scheme of the BVA Great Workplaces Scheme, Fiona runs through the accreditation process to hopefully tempt more practices to join. We also touch on the area of 'Fear-Free' veterinary practice. Ten years after it was launched at an overseas conference, what has been the impact here in the UK? Again, Fiona tells Practice Matters listeners about her experiences.
At the recent London Vet Show STEVE CARTER from Priory Veterinary Surgeons in Reigate conducted an experiment on the FIVP stand - 'Two Chairs and a Sign' , the objective of which was to discuss practice ownership in an open and frank way. Steve joins us on the line to reveal all!
As this is the final edition of the podcast for 2024, may we wish all our members and colleagues a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. 2025 may well be a year of challenge for the profession but rest assured, we'll be right there to support the interests of independent practice.
In this edition we celebrate the launch of a new exotics clinic right next door to a zoo and also look at diversity and inclusivity in practice.
Our guests are DR KEVIN EATWELL, the UK's only triple-boarded exotics specialist and his nurse colleague at Fife Exotic Vets, ERIKA FEILBERG RVN.
Take a listen - truly a diverse episode.
It's a slightly extended edition this time as we meet three guests who all have an interest in educating and supporting pet carers and veterinary professionals in the prevention and treatment of resistant bacteria.
Jill Moss is the founder of the charity The Bella Moss Foundation and joining her are two of the charity’s trustees – Mike Brampton - author, managing director, lecturer, entrepreneur, podcast host and qualified Arctic guide and seafarer. Mike has been in and around both the medical and veterinary healthcare industries since 1980, working in a range of roles but mainly centred around the operating theatre and anaesthesia.
Dr Neil Forbes appeared on Practice Matters a couple of months ago and must accept responsibility for the incredible but unsurprising interest in his episode which dealt with practice hygiene. Neil’s accolades in the industry are far too numerous to list to the extent where he has received multiple UK and international awards, he has published over 86 scientific peer reviewed papers, contributed to 38 books and lectured internationally for over 30 years particularly on infection control and was instrumental in setting up the BVNA Infection Control Training course.
We welcome back Onswitch CEO ALISON LAMBERT who has spent the past two decades in the veterinary consumer marketplace.
So what, in 2024, is "the client experience"? What are the consequences if its ignored? What are the benefits of getting it "spot on"?
This episode is packed full of practical advice - enjoy!
