This podcast episode explores the current state and future potential of referral services in farm animal veterinary practice. Hosts Paul Horwood and guests Owen Jenkins and Rebecca Nelson discuss the absence of a tiered referral system that exists in small animal and equine vet practices, and the impact this has on farm veterinary services. They examine the challenges linked to the economics of veterinary care on farms, the reluctance within the sector to adopt new changes, and the existing mentality among farm vets. The conversation highlights the need to embrace opportunities for improvement in farm animal consultancy and referral systems.
Our guests:
Owain Jenkins BSc BVSc DBR MRCVS
Owain graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2000 and began his career in mixed practice in his hometown of Dolgellau. In 2006 he moved to Delaware Veterinary Group in Somerset to focus on 100% farm work. In 2012 he gained a Diploma in Bovine Reproduction from the University of Liverpool, and became a partner at Delaware which then joined IVC in 2017. Owain was until recently Chair of our Farm Animal Clinical Board. He now focuses on his role as Clinical Director, providing a proactive service to his top-quality dairy clients.
Rebecca Nelson BVM BVS MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon
Rebecca graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2016 and has since worked around the UK and in New Zealand. She has completed a residency program in Bovine Health and Management at the Nottingham Dairy Herd Health Group. Rebecca’s interests lie in progressive herd health. She is currently involved in developing a new veterinary consultancy service in the Midlands, Fosse Veterinary Consultancy.
Our Host:
Paul Horwood BVetMed DBR MRCVS MBA
Paul has had a varied career so far, initially an Officer in the military, Paul left and trained as a vet, but kept his links with the military, returning to the front line in Afghanistan in 2012 with the Grenadier Guards. Paul is currently the Group Veterinary advisor for farm at IVC Evidensia. He qualified from Royal Veterinary College in 2000, and after an internship, joined Westpoint Farm Vets, becoming partner, owner and director along the way, as it grew to 25 practices across the UK. In 2015 the business was sold to Private Equity and Paul remained as Managing Director of the fam animal side of the business until 2017. Paul has a Diploma in Bovine Reproduction from Liverpool University, is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of Vetlife, is on BVA council, is a mental health first aider, is a founder of VetYou, a financial advice platform for the veterinary profession.
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Please note that the views expressed by hosts and guests in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of IVC Evidensia.
Links
Vet Vision AI: https://www.vetvisionai.com/
Delaware CPD resources: Training & Resources - Delaware Farm Vets
