College Connection | Fall 2024
Taskforce continues work on after-hours veterinary care
College Connection | Fall 2024
Taskforce continues work on after-hours veterinary care
Recognizing the significant challenges veterinary care teams and clients face in providing and accessing after-hours care , the After-Hours Veterinary Care Taskforce was established by the Legacy Council to find innovative solutions to these complex issues . Despite the concerted efforts of veterinarians to meet the demand for care , they have encountered numerous challenges including staffing shortages and evolving public expectations .
Over the past year , the Taskforce has been developing solutions and evaluating their pros and cons for Legacy Council ’ s consideration . These recommendations , which will be presented to the Legacy Council in late 2024 , aim to address the current challenges for access to care , veterinary wellbeing , and facility accreditation .
The Taskforce , chaired by Council member Dr . Claire Beauchamp , meets regularly with three meetings in 2024 . Taskforce members include a range of veterinarians , registered veterinary technicians , as well as a representative from both the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association and the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians .
Conversation amongst the Taskforce remains lively and engaging , and each meeting brings the group closer to proposing ideas for the future delivery of after-hours veterinary care .
Conversations focus on a number of topics including :
• The impact of current regulations on the delivery of after-hours veterinary care
• The role of the RVT
• Expectations on the practitioner and the veterinary facility in providing after-hours care
• Evolving client expectations
• Considerations of veterinary team well-being in College standards
College staff are compiling the ideas shared and the Taskforce will prepare recommendations to present to the Legacy Council . To aid discussion , the Taskforce was given a paper that explained the concept of the social contract and its impact on providing after-hours veterinary care .
The social contract refers to the agreement between a profession and society , where the profession gains autonomy and self-regulation in exchange for upholding a moral code and committing to serve clients and patients responsibly . In the case of veterinary medicine , professional autonomy hinges on ensuring the profession can continue to provide safe and effective veterinary care , including after-hours care .
This paper sparked engaging discussions about the evolving nature of veterinary care and how the profession can fulfill its societal duties while also ensuring the wellbeing of its members . The focus included maintaining mental health , achieving a reasonable work-life balance , and fostering productive team relationships .
In the coming months , the Taskforce will be finalizing their recommendations to College Council . The aim is to deliver this list at the December 2024 Council meeting . Following this presentation , the Legacy Council will determine its next steps .
Further information on the taskforce ’ s work is in the summer issue of College Connection .
CONTACT THE COLLEGE
Registrar Jan Robinson , Registrar & CEO registarsinbox @ cvo . org
Shilo Tooze , Deputy Registrar stooze @ cvo . org
President Dr . Wade Wright , President president @ cvo . org
Associate Registrar
Dr . Kim Lambert , Associate Registrar Regulatory Programs klambert @ cvo . org
Contact College Staff Find the staff list & contact information at www . cvo . org / contact-us
Program E-mails inquiries @ cvo . org licensure @ cvo . org accreditation @ cvo . org complaints @ cvo . org qualityassurance @ cvo . org
Public confidence in veterinary regulation cvo . org 3