Annual Report 2021 | Page 21

SHORTAGE OF VETERINARIANS The College , the OVC , and the OVMA are working together on measures to help address the shortage of veterinarians and to help the public and veterinary healthcare teams adapt to the mismatch in demand and capacity for veterinary services . Demand for veterinary services has been growing for several years . Veterinary healthcare teams have been stretched to the breaking point , and the added pressures of changing care delivery during the pandemic has further reinforced the importance of robust veterinary healthcare services . Results of a 2020 study by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association confirmed that demand for veterinary services has or will soon exceed capacity across Canada .
INTERNATIONAL VETERINARY REGULATORS NETWORK As a member of the new International Veterinary Regulators Network , the College increases its understanding of veterinary regulation worldwide , shares experiences , thinks about common topics and considers opportunities for a consistent approach on topics that transcend borders .
AMBITIONS AND TACTICS FROM THE VETERINARY SYMPOSIUM The College , the OVC , and the OVMA hosted the Future of Veterinary Medicine in Ontario Symposium in November 2019 . The Symposium summary report includes commitments in four key areas — enabling sustainable veterinary practice ; leveraging innovation ; facilitating equitable consumer access to veterinary care ; and instilling confidence in the standard of care .
WORKING GROUPS The College welcomes the input and perspective of members of the veterinary profession and the public through various sources , including several working groups . Working groups include veterinarians and members of the public with considerable knowledge on a specific topic of relevance to Council ’ s work . The group provides guidance and recommendations to Council . There are currently four working groups : public health and veterinary medicine ; standard of care ; veterinary care and the beef sector in northern and rural Ontario ; and shared care and animal rehabilitation .
College of Veterinarians of Ontario Annual Report 2021
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