FIVP Practice Matters

Welcome to FIVP Practice Matters - fostering collaboration, sparking insightful discussions and celebrating the ingenuity thriving within independent veterinary practices. With a new episode every fortnight (plus bonus episodes), it’s the perfect companion for a walk with your dog or on the commute to work!
We'll aim to amplify the voices and experiences from the front line of independent veterinary care as well as meeting guests from the veterinary world and beyond, delving into topics that will resonate with the whole team.

Why not send us a voice note via WhatsApp to 07709 836 865 now!

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Today · 18 min
Ep069 - Oncotails - Specialist in your practice
Welcome back to Practice Matters, the FIVP podcast exploring the real issues and innovations shaping independent veterinary practice today. What if providing specialist-level care didn't require sending patients miles away to unfamiliar tertiary hospitals? Today, we're exploring a model that brings expert oncology care directly into the primary clinic, keeping pets in familiar surroundings while supporting local teams. Joining us is SARAH MASON, double board-certified specialist in Medical and Radiation Oncology, FRCVS, and founder of Oncotails. After 15 years in multidisciplinary referral centres, Sarah is shifting the paradigm by collaborating directly with independent practices. In this episode, we discuss how hybrid specialist support works day-to-day, the profound impact on patient stress, and how shared care empowers primary clinical teams while keeping cases—and revenue—within local practice walls. As ever, we would love to hear from your practice. Send us a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07709 836865 For further details of Oncotails and the services offered visit: https://www.oncotails.com/
October 13 · 17 min
Ep068 - BONUS - Dalehead Veterinary Group Skipton branch opening 3.10.26
In this special bonus episode of Practice Matters from the Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP), host Ian travels to Skipton for the grand opening of the Dalehead Veterinary Group’s newest branch practice. Celebrating 100 years of service in the Yorkshire Dales, Dalehead marks this centenary milestone with an open day celebrating traditional community-centred values alongside modern veterinary care. Director Peter O'Hagan and SQP Harriet reflect on the practice’s independent ethos, discussing how personal continuity and transparent care foster deep trust amidst widespread scrutiny in the veterinary sector. Head Veterinary Nurse Catherine shares her 26-year journey with the practice, highlighting the familial bond and client relationships that keep her passionate about her role. Farm directors Ian Illingworth and Russel Howarth delve into the dynamics of modern farm medicine, highlighting collaborative herd health management and offering inspiring advice for future veterinary graduates considering large animal practice. The celebration culminates with special guest Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards cutting the official opening ribbon, followed by guided tours and a lively local dog show. Tune in to explore what makes independent practice thrive!
October 6 · 13 min
Ep067 - Being Human Part 2
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
September 22 · 18 min
Ep066 - Being Human Part 1
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
September 8 · 13 min
Ep065 - Sustainable Anaesthesia
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 65 For more information - www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-plimmer-rvn or VictoriaPlimmer
August 25 · 18 min
Ep064 - Simulations Training (or Get an Ikea dog!) - Dr Hannah Godfrey
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 65 https://www.vetled.co.uk/courses-services/supporting-your-team-to-perform-under-pressure-open-course
August 18 · 29 min
Ep063 - BONUS - Pushing back against the CMA poster
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
August 11 · 17 min
Ep062 - Practice Suicide Prevention Plans - Hannah Perrin - Clarity
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 65 For 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/
July 28 · 20 min
Ep061 - Life After Graduation
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
July 14 · 15 min
Ep060 - Practice Uniqueness with Andy Donley
In this ‘Practice Matters’ episode, we're joined by ANDY DONLEY from Practice Made Purrfect to tackle one of the most common - and quietly costly - problems in vet marketing: sounding exactly like everyone else. If your website says "we treat your pet like family," you're in good company. But Andy explains why phrases like that have stopped doing any real work, and what practices can do instead to build messaging that is genuinely theirs. With the CMA remedies now pushing for greater consistency across the profession, the ability to articulate what makes your practice truly different has never mattered more. Andy shares practical ways to uncover your real differentiators, turn everyday details into compelling messages, and find the confidence to say something that actually stands out. How is your practice truly unique? As ever, we would love to hear from your practice. Send us a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65 For more details about the work of Practice Made Purrfect - visit https://www.practicemadepurrfect.com/
June 30 · 18 min
Ep059 - Cats Protection Summer Reception
In this special edition of FIVP Practice Matters, recorded at a landmark parliamentary reception at Westminster hosted by Cats Protection, Ian Wolstenholme is joined by JOHANNA BAXTER MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cats, JOHN MAY, Chief Executive of Cats Protection, KIT STURGESS, Chair of Trustees at Cats Protection and IZZY HOCKING, vet and Senior Veterinary Engagement Manager. Together, they explore the growing momentum behind improving feline welfare in the UK, discussing the challenges of securing legislative reform, the need for stronger regulation of cat breeding, and why cats continue to lag behind dogs in terms of welfare protections despite being the nation's most popular pet. The conversation highlights the vital role of veterinary professionals, charities, policymakers and cat owners in driving change, while offering practical insights into understanding feline behaviour, recognising signs of pain, and advocating for better outcomes for cats. It's a thought-provoking discussion about partnership, persistence and the collective responsibility to see the world through a cat's eyes. As ever, we'd love to hear from your practice. Send us a voice note via WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65
June 16 · 18 min
Ep058 - BEVA - Imogen Burrows
In this episode of Practice Matters, we sit down with IMOGEN BURROWS, President of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), to explore the real landscape of equine veterinary practice today. With a career rooted in first-opinion equine work, Imogen brings a refreshingly grounded perspective to the role. From her presidential theme of "Everyday Welfare" to the pressures facing independent practices around recruitment, retention, and burnout, this is a candid conversation about what it truly means to work in equine medicine — and what the profession must do to support the vets within it. As ever, we would love to hear from your practice. Send us a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07709 836865
June 2 · 19 min
Ep057 - National SQP Week 2026
They've been part of veterinary medicines legislation since 2005, yet the three letters SQP are still not as widely recognised as they perhaps should be. That's about to change. For the very first time, the profession is marking a dedicatedNational SQP Week, running from 5th to 12th June 2026 — a landmark moment for a qualification that has quietly underpinned the safe distribution of veterinary medicines for decades. In this episode of Practice Matters, we're joined by CAROLINE JOHNSON, Director of Vetpol, to explore what National SQP Week means for the profession, how to get involved, and why this milestone is long overdue. As ever, we would love to hear from your practice. Send us a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07709 836865 For more information about National SQP Week, visit https://vetpol.uk/vetpol-sqp-why-choose-us/national-sqp-week-5-12-june-2026/
May 19 · 15 min
Ep056 - Pet Blood Bank UK
When a critical patient arrives and every second counts, access to blood products can mean the difference between life and death. But what does it actually take to keep thoselifesaving supplies available around the clock? In this episode of Practice Matters, we're joined by LARA HOWE, Clinical Supervisor and Veterinary Surgeon at Pet Blood Bank UK — the country's leading canine blood bank charity and the animal equivalent of the NHS blood service. From donor eligibility and blood typing to the journey of a single unit from donation session to emergency ward, we're exploring everything veterinary teams need to know about canine blood transfusion. As ever, we would love to hear from your practice. Send us a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07709 836865 For more information about the Pet Blood Bank UK charity, visit https://www.petbloodbankuk.org/
May 5 · 14 min
Ep055 - Protect Yourself!
With 61% of the veterinary profession now female, personal safety has never been more relevant — yet it remains one of the most overlooked conversations in the industry. In this episode, Ian Wolstenholme speaks with JESSICA JONES, founder of Amazonia School of Self Protection, about what it truly means to protect yourself in a caring profession. From lone working and aggressive clients to boundary-setting and post-incident recovery, Jessica shares practical strategies and powerful mindset shifts for female vets and vet nurses navigating real-world risk. Because a profession that gives so much to others must also equip its people to stay safe. As ever we would love to hear from your practice. Send us a voice message via WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65 https://www.facebook.com/AmazoniaSOSP/
April 21 · 15 min
Ep054 - Vetamorphosis
Our veterinary profession is (fortunately) blessed in the modern age with lots of support for colleagues struggling with their mental health wellbeing. Oftentimes, this care is drawn upon when problems have manifested. Our guest onthis edition of Practice Matters, GEORGINA HILLS from Vetamorphosis, joins Ian to talk through how practice leaders and team members can look for the subtle signs of mental distress before they reach that crisis point. George discusses this with the benefit of a ‘dual lens’ – she is a long-time experienced veterinary nurse, practice manager who in2022 made the courageous choice to transition into the third sector as a Community and Mental Health Advocate withing the NHS and is now also a Transactional Psychotherapist with Vetamorphosis. As ever, we would love to hear from your practice if you have been affected by any of the issues raised. Send us a voicenote to 07709 83 68 65 https://www.vetamorphosis.co.uk https://www.vetlife.org.uk/
April 7 · 17 min
Ep053 - FIVP 10th Birthday!
It’s our 10-year anniversary! To celebrate a decade of FIVP representing independent practices, Ian Wolstenholme and the FIVP team reflect on the organisation’s humble origins and look to the future for the sector. Joining Ian is chairperson Rita Dingwall, co-founder Jacqui Garrett and administrator Ruth Cleaver. FIVP was founded in 2016 as a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to securing a future for independent practices. We work closely with practice owners and managers, ensuring they have they are supported and represented to grow their business. Don’t forget to share how your practice showcases its independence! Whether you are an FIVP member or not, we want to hear how your stories about engaging with your community. Send a voice note via WhatsApp to 07709 836865
March 24 · 18 min
Ep052 - RCVS MMI updates - Rapinder Newton and Elinor O'Connor
On this edition of Practice Matters we hear about some of the latest practice support strategies around the RCVS Mind Matters Initiative. The College Lead RAPINDERNEWTON tells us about the new Academy courses for Managers, MMI online workshops and Applied Mental Health Science, as well as guidance for the forthcoming requirement as part of the Practice Standards Scheme to have a Suicide Prevention Plan in place. We also meet Professor Elinor O’Connor from the Alliance Business School at the University of Manchester - one of the 2025 Research Grant Award recipients about their work and how independent practices can contribute to their research project to support wellbeing in practice. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in the episode, please contact: Vetlife - https://helpline.vetlife.org.uk/ Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/ HOW TO HELP WITH RESEARCH: The University of Manchester and Birkbeck, University of London are undertaking a research project funded by the RCVS Mind Matters Initiative on organisational stress management and wellbeing initiatives in the UK veterinary sector. Many stress-management initiatives aim to develop workers’ ability to cope with stress, for example mindfulness. In contrast, organisational wellbeing initiatives are those that target sources of stress at work by changing how work is arranged or managed; examples might include changes to rota systems, workload management strategies, or efforts to improve communication or support within teams. If you are currently working or have worked in the UK veterinary sector and have been involved in implementing or participating in an organisational wellbeing initiative in the past three years, the research team would like to hear about your experiences People working in any role in the veterinary sector can participate in the study (e.g. clinical staff, animal care assistants, receptionists etc). Please contact Professor Elinor O’Connor for more details: elinor.oconnor@manchester.ac.uk As ever, we would love to hear from your practice. You can send us a voice note, via WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65
March 10 · 11 min
Ep051 - Changemakers
In this episode of the FIVP Practice Matters podcast,we explore two recent developments shaping the veterinary and animal welfare landscape. The first topic comes from the BVNA Congress, where certified animal behaviourist Dr Andrew Hale discusses how modern understanding of pet behaviour has evolved. Andrew explains how shifting perspectives on animal emotions, stress, andcommunication are influencing the way veterinary teams, particularly vet nurses, interpret and manage behaviour in clinical settings. The episode also features another change-maker – Dr. TomWard, lead scientist at Warrington-based research company XCellR8. Dr Ward describes the company’s pioneering work in the cosmetics and personal care industries to replace controversial animal testing. He outlines new innovativelaboratory methods and technologies that allow products to be tested safely and ethically without animals, highlighting how scientific progress is accelerating the global move toward more humane research and product development practices. As ever, we would love to hear from your practice. Send us a voice note, via WhatsApp to 07709 83 68 65
February 24 · 18 min
Ep050 - Transparency...do you see it?
In this episode of Practice Matters, we explore how transparency within veterinary teams can transform client relationships and strengthen practice culture. Drawing on expert insights from Dr Rebecca Maher from Inside Minds, we unpack why transparency isn’t just about pricing—it’s about communicating value, fostering clarity, and helping clientsfeel confident in their decisions. Vet teams often shy away from open conversations about cost and care, but when approached with empathy and behavioural insight, transparency builds trust, reduces surprises, and enhances client satisfaction. Learn how teams can embrace openness, improve communication skills, and make every interaction more meaningful for clients and their pets. As ever, we would love to hear from your practice – send us a voice note or message to 07709 83 68 65

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