Friday, 12 July 2024 09:18

Calls for more support for vets, nurses

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
The event shared the findings from a comprehensive survey of the sector conducted by Boehringer Ingelheim in collaboration with NZVA and NZVNA. The event shared the findings from a comprehensive survey of the sector conducted by Boehringer Ingelheim in collaboration with NZVA and NZVNA.

The animal health sector needs to change to keep up with the times, according to the discussion at a breakfast event hosted by Boehringer Ingelheim at the NZ Vet Association and NZ Veterinary Nursing Association conference in Christchurch recently.

The event shared the findings from a comprehensive survey of the sector conducted by Boehringer Ingelheim in collaboration with NZVA and NZVNA. The survey covered perceptions from more than 600 people in the sector including vet nurses, veterinarians, clinic management and others.

At the breakfast event, Paul Fitzpatrick, Head of Animal Health New Zealand, Boehringer Ingelheim, hosted panellists Kevin Bryant, NZVA chief executive, Laura Harvey, NZVNA president, and Nick Cooper, Carevets chief executive, for a wide-ranging discussion. The panellists discussed the importance of ensuring that great staff stay in the industry, the opportunity for ongoing training, how to build better public understanding of the sector’s work, and the difference between the experiences of vets and vet nurses.

Fitzpatrick said the survey results demonstrated the need for this conversation, and more like it.

 “These responses really underscored how much work we must do. For example, 70% of respondents felt that their role and the role of the broader veterinary sector is not well understood and appreciated by the public, which shows that shifting perceptions needs to be a priority.” 

Bryant says that it’s critical to tackle these opportunities together.

“The challenges the industry is facing are not new. A lot of good work is happening, but we need to increase the pace of change to ensure that our sector can thrive in the future. The kind of change we’re talking about requires collaboration across the industry, no matter your role or location.”

Harvey challenged the industry to support vet nurses better.

“Vet nurses are highly trained professionals, and yet they struggle more than others in the industry to get recognition and support. Things have been improving over recent years for our members, but our sector can’t succeed unless it is properly supporting everyone who is a part of it. For vet nurses that means ensuring proper remuneration, career progression and support in the workplace.”

Cooper says NZ can be a leader in this industry.

 “We’re a nation of animal lovers, so the potential for us to build a great, respected veterinary industry is huge. We’ve been making good progress already, and we need to work together to go out and seize that opportunity.”

Following the discussion, Boehringer Ingelheim will be working with the industry to build out further resources and support for New Zealand veterinary professionals in the coming months.

Fitzpatrick added that it’s a critical priority for the company.

“In our fiftieth year in New Zealand, we’re absolutely committed to supporting this sector to grow and thrive in the future. We’re thrilled at how well the industry has engaged with this work so far and look forward to building on it into the future.”

More like this

Featured

New UHT plant construction starts

Construction is underway at Fonterra’s new UHT cream plant at Edendale, Southland following a groundbreaking ceremony recently.

National

Machinery & Products

GEA launches robotic milkers

Milking technology provider GEA Farm Technologies is introducing its first automatic milking system (AMS) in New Zealand.

More front hoppers

German seeding specialists Horsch have announced a new 1600- litre double-tank option that will join its current Partner FT single…

Origin Ag clocks up 20 years

With roots dating back to 2004, Origin Ag was formed as a co-operative business model that removed the traditional distributor,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Dark ages

OPINION: Before we all let The Green Party have at it with their 'bold' emissions reduction plan, the Hound thought…

Rhymes with?

OPINION: The Feds' latest banking survey shows that bankers are even less popular with farmers than they used to be,…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter