For me, 2020 will be a memorable year. Not for the more obvious reasons, but because I became a grandfather for the first time. For many others, 2020 will be a year that stands out in the timeline of our history, alongside memorable dates such as 1066 (Battle of Hastings), 1215 (Magna Carta), 1776 (American Declaration of Independence), 1815 (Waterloo) and 1939. The twin seismic events of the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit will ensure that future school children add 2020 to their list of memorable dates.
What will 2021 look like for the small animal veterinary profession? The pandemic has ensured the accelerated modernisation of the profession. The huge recent changes have largely involved the growth of corporate practice and, with that, the disproportionate influence on policy and supply of services that a few organisations are able to exert. We are fortunate, in many ways, that we are regulated by the RCVS and, as such, all of us have an opportunity to have input into consultations affecting the profession. It is important that we do. Regrettably, most vets and nurses have precious little time to take the opportunity and as much interest as they might. I would urge us all to take the time to see what consultations are in progress and to contribute.
One such consultation is the Legislative Reform consultation (https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/our-consultations/). This could directly affect all vets and nurses as, for example, revalidation is one of the topics under consideration. Another is the assessment of ‘fitness to practise’ as part of the disciplinary process. The RCVS has also responded to the COVID pandemic and the need for vets to work in safe ways by temporarily allowing the remote prescribing of POM-V medicines. However, once this genie is out of the bottle, can we replace it? There is a consultation on an ‘Under our care’ policy. The BVA has a working group comprising individuals from all arms of the profession that has been developing the BVA position (https://www.bva.co.uk/resources-support/misc-resources/scoping-form-uocwg/), but all vets are encouraged to respond to the RCVS consultation when the time comes. Many have found that they have been able to safely provide telemedicine services and remote prescribing. There has been a proliferation of telemedicine providers that will change practice even further, as we move through 2021.
The cancellation of physical congresses and meetings has rapidly accelerated the provision of virtual events of varying complexity. BSAVA Congress and London Vet Show were two major casualties on the conference scene in 2020. BSAVA took the decision early on to hold Congress 2021 as a virtual event, and this promises to be an innovative and engaging event. It will make use of one of a number of virtual event platforms that have been developed: they ensure a far more interactive experience compared to the traditional webinars which have, until now, made up the bulk of online education. Again, this will change the face of all future conferences, which will very likely be hybrid events, enabling easier access for international delegates and those for whom travel or time constraints make physical attendance difficult.
One silver lining of the COVID pandemic is the reduced carbon output resulting from travel restrictions. BSAVA's virtual congress has pledged to be the first carbon neutral congress. In the BVA's 2019 Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey, 89% of vets said that they would like to play a more active role in the UK sustainability agenda. Vet Sustain is a young organisation which has captured the imagination of many vets and nurses (https://vetsustain.org). It might be that the most long-lasting and profound change that happens in 2021 is the active involvement of vets and nurses in a sustainable future.