Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has launched a new course to help veterinary practices meet the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ (RCVS) sustainability standards.
In order for veterinary practices to be approved as training practices they must evidence their approach to sustainability in new requirements in the RCVS’s Practice Standards Scheme, an initiative which promotes and maintains the highest standards of veterinary care.
The new measures are intended to encourage veterinary practices to ‘lead the way in addressing the global climate crisis’ and include a new Environmental Sustainability Award.
SRUC’s Sustainability in Veterinary Practice micro course has been created by veterinary nurses Helen Ballantyne and Laura Edwards and normally takes 12 weeks to complete.
The online distance learning course is aimed at helping everyone in the veterinary industry to meet the RCVS’s measures by bringing about positive sustainable change within daily working practices, procurement, waste management and the carbon footprint of pet ownership.
It offers practical advice on how veterinary practices can reduce their usage of single use items and plastic waste and switch to renewable energy sources. This includes the use of low-flow anaesthesia which utilises a reduced flow of fresh gas to ensure minimal leakage of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
‘Empowering veterinary professionals’
“Veterinary practices have a unique role to play in addressing environmental challenges,” said Helen.
“By empowering veterinary professionals with sustainable tools and insights, we aim to create a positive impact that supports animal welfare, community health and ecological balance.”
The course is ideally suited to registered veterinary nurses or veterinary surgeons but can also be undertaken by a non-qualified member of the veterinary team.
Preferably, those wishing to start the course will have a Bachelors degree or equivalent level qualification plus two years’ experience of working in small animal veterinary practice.
The self-paced course will be available from February 2025 and can be started anytime in the year except for July and August.
To find out more and to sign up click here.
