The RCVS Podcast

In this episode of the RCVS Podcast, coinciding with Occupational Health Awareness Week, we explore the importance of creating psychologically informed veterinary workplaces. Joined by leading researchers, we discuss what a psychologically informed workplace looks like, why it matters, and how positive workplace cultures can benefit not only veterinary professional wellbeing, but also client relationships and patient care. 

For our main feature, we speak to our 2025 Mind Matters Impact Grant holders, Professor Elinor O’Connor from the University of Manchester and Dr Kevin Teoh from Birkbeck, University of London, about their research into organisational interventions that support wellbeing in veterinary workplaces. They are joined by Professor Jason Spendelow, Professor of Clinical Psychology and Professional Practice at Harper & Keele Veterinary School, who shares his expertise on the role organisations can play in promoting psychological wellbeing and healthy workplace cultures. 

In the second half of the episode, we hear from our 2026 Mind Matters Impact Grant holders, Dr John Tulloch FRCVS and Dr Tamzin Furtado from the University of Liverpool, who discuss their project investigating mental health and trauma support for veterinary professionals following severe occupational injury, and why this area of research is so important for the profession. 

 

Guests: 

Professor Elinor O’Connor, Professor of Work Psychology, University of Manchester  

Dr Kevin Teoh, Reader in Work and Organisational Psychology, Birkbeck University of London  

Professor Jason Spendelow, Professor of Clinical Psychology and Professional Practice, Harper-Keele Veterinary School  

Dr John Tulloch FRCVS, Lecturer in Veterinary Public Health, University of Liverpool  

Dr Tamzin Furtado, Lecturer in Human Behaviour Change for Animals, University of Liverpool  

 

Useful links: 

RCVS latest news 

RCVS events 

Listen to our previous podcast 

Mind Matters funds research into mental health and trauma support after severe occupational injury  

RCVS Mind Matters funds new research into reasonable adjustments for SVNs and workplace wellbeing 

RCVS ‘Understanding and managing stress in the veterinary workplace' guide  

RCVS 'Discussing reasonable adjustments at work' guide 

Sources of work stress in veterinary practice in the UK paper 

RCVS Suicide prevention in the veterinary workplace  

More information on Professor Jason Spendelow’s work - Workplace Performance & Wellbeing Specialists and Build a Psychologically Healthy Organisation 

Dr Kevin's Teoh’s previous work with the NHS: New report provides insights on how to support NHS staff wellbeing through organisational interventions - Birkbeck, University of London

In this episode, we sit down with our new RCVS President, Tim Hutchinson MRCVS. In the chat, we explore his career to date, the path that led him to become RCVS President, and his hopes for his presidential year.

For part two of the episode, we’ll be joined by our Head of Insights, Policy and Public Affairs, Ben Myring, to discuss the publication of Defra's recent White Paper, which sets out the government's proposals for new legislation that would replace the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

We'll be speaking about exactly what a White Paper is, its contents, why it's significant, and how it fits into the wider process of creating and implementing new legislation.

Guests:

Tim Hutchinson MRCVS – RCVS President 2026 to 2027

Ben Myring – RCVS Head of Insights, Policy and Public Affairs

 

Useful links:

RCVS news stories

The RCVS Academy

Suicide prevention in the veterinary workplace resources and information

Tim Hutchinson, Royal College Day 2026 speech

RCVS welcomes government White Paper on reform of veterinary regulation

In this episode, we explore the RCVS VN Vision project and how veterinary nurses can play a greater role in delivering efficient, team-based veterinary care. Our Veterinary Nursing Progression and Development Lead, Jill Macdonald, is joined by veterinary nurses Carly Masters and Lauren Hargrave to discuss their experiences in practice, the impact of VN Vision, and how veterinary teams can make changes to improve workplace culture, job satisfaction and access to care.

For the second part of the podcast, researchers Dr Jackie Hargreaves and Dr Faye Didymus discuss their work on integrating mental health training into veterinary nursing education, what inspired their research, and their vision for the future of veterinary nursing.

Speakers:

Jill Macdonald RVN – RCVS Veterinary Nursing Progression and Development Lead

Lauren Hargrave RVN - People Manager & Senior Veterinary Nurse

Carly Masters RVN – Practice Owner & Senior Veterinary Nurse

Julie Dugmore RVN – RCVS Director of Veterinary Nursing

Dr Faye Didymus - Reader in Sport and Performance Psychology

Dr Jackie Hargreaves - Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science

Useful links

RCVS News stories - News and views | Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

Apply for the RCVS Fellowship Board - RCVS Fellowship Board elections 2026 | Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

RCVS VN Vision project - VN Vision | Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

Mind Matters research projects - Research projects | Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

Mind Matters research grants - Research grants | Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

For more information about the VN Vision project, email vnvision@rcvs.org.uk

In this extended episode, we explore an issue that matters deeply across the veterinary professions: suicide prevention. 

Please note: this episode will be centred around suicide. Please remember that if you are impacted by anything discussed, help is available. You can contact veterinary mental health charity, Vetlife, who have a confidential helpline available 24 hours a day, seven days a week as well as an email service. You can also contact charities outside of the veterinary sector such as Samaritans and Papyrus – details for all of which can be found below. 

From the new 2026 Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) requirements - requiring all practices (including small animal, farm and equine) to have a suicide prevention plan in place - to practical steps practices can take right now, this conversation is all about making support more visible, conversations less intimidating, and workplaces safer for everyone. 

You’ll hear thoughtful insights from experts working across the field, alongside real examples of how leadership, training, and culture can make a meaningful difference. We also talk about the role of stigma, what good prevention planning actually looks like, and why talking openly about mental health is such an important part of protecting people. 

 

Speakers: 

Angharad Belcher – RCVS Director for the Advancement of the Professions, and Mind Matters Initiative 

Alice Duvernois MRCVS – RCVS Lead PSS Assessor 

Peter Kelly – senior psychologist and leading suicide prevention expert 

Dr Rosie Allister MRCVS – consultant manager for Vetlife helpline and suicide prevention and mental health researcher 

James Glass MRCVS – suicide prevention researcher 

 

What we cover in this episode 

Why suicide prevention is now part of the Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) 

How practices can approach the new requirements without feeling overwhelmed 

What an effective suicide prevention plan should include 

The role of leadership, team culture, and psychological safety 

Why access to means, trauma exposure, and organisational support all matter 

How to talk about suicide responsibly and reduce stigma 

Practical resources, training, and support available to veterinary teams 

Resources 

Vetlife 

Samaritans 

Papyrus  

RCVS Mind Matters suicide prevention in the veterinary workplace – links to the RCVS suicide prevention toolkit for veterinary workplaces - a practical guide to meeting the PSS suicide prevention standard and related suicide prevention requirements in UK veterinary workplaces. 

RCVS Academy courses – free to access for veterinary professionals, including 'Suicide awareness fundamentals'. 

Vetlife suicide postvention guidance  

British Standard BS 30480 on Workplace Suicide Prevention 

RCVS Mind Matters applied mental health science series guides 

Samaritans media guidelines for responsible reporting on suicide 

World Health Organisation (WHO) suicide prevention  

RCVS Mind Matters reasonable adjustments campaign 

The Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) Model of Suicidal Behaviour 

Time, Space, Compassion- supporting people experiencing suicidal crisis: introductory guide – Scottish Government 

Timestamps: 

00:00 - Introduction to the podcast and focus on suicide prevention in veterinary 

05:45 - Explanation of the RCVS Practice Standard Scheme (PSS) and its levels 

16:23 - What constitutes a suicide prevention plan and how to implement it effectively 

23:57 - The critical role of leadership, culture, and open conversations 

33:06 - Other available resources: Vetlife, RCVS Academy courses, RCVS Mind Matters guides and other support  

41:32 - The importance of responsible discourse and avoiding stigmatisation 

49:54 - Models like IMV (O’Connor, 2011) to understand the complexities of suicidal behaviour 

55:08 - The role of leadership and organisational culture in prevention 

66:29 - Tips for fostering a safety culture where mental health challenges can be openly discussed 

75:38 - Closing remarks: resources, upcoming events, and CPD recognition

In our latest podcast, part two of a two part special on our ‘Next Steps’ project, we’re joined by Miles Russell, Finance and Operations Director at the George Vet Group, current board member and past president of the Veterinary Management Group and former crossbench peer in the House of Lords. In this chat, Miles chats about his experience as, in his words, a reluctant leader, his journey into leadership, the value of problem solving and curiosity, the importance of mentorship and the challenges and rewards of leading teams in an ever-changing industry.

We’ll then be joined by Jen Ayers RVN, head of our free digital online learning platform, the RCVS Academy. Nearing its fourth birthday, we chat about why the Academy was developed, the wide range of on-demand courses available to support veterinary professionals, and what exciting new developments the team have got in the pipeline.

 

Useful links

Discover more on our latest news stories

Visit our Workforce page

Join our Next Steps: Moving into management event

Explore other College events

Check out our free CPD courses on the RCVS Academy

Contact the Academy Team on academy@rcvs.org.uk

Got a question about the podcast or an idea for future content? Email us at podcast@rcvs.org.uk