The Vet Record Podcast

Episode 11: Competition in the clinic part 2 - drilling into the latest from the CMA

In this special two-parter, we speak to the regulator (RCVS) and the BVA to get their take on the CMA's provisional findings. What is their understanding of what the CMA has said? Are they concerned about the watchdog's proposed remedies? Is this the end of the world as we know it? Do they feel the CMA has listened to previous comments? This comes after the CMA released a draft report of its final recommendations and launched a consultation. Recommendations include that vet practices should be forced to publish comprehensive price lists and prescription fees would be capped at £16.

Episode 12: Careers chat with Tom McNeilly

In this episode, we chat to Tom McNeilly, director of Moredun Research Institute. He talks about the challenges of a career in research, but how it can be fulfilling and lead to making an impact to animal health and welfare. He explains how interest has grown in incorporating environmental aspects into the research carried out at the institute, but that their primary focus continues to be advocating for the health of farmed animals.

Episode 13: Careers chat with Mark Lowrie

After realising his childhood ambition to become a zoo vet wasn't for him, Mark set out on the journey to specialise in neurology. He talks about the value of seeing general practice before specialising and how failure can be a positive if you seek to learn from it. He sets out his views on the problems with corporate practices focusing too much on spend per visit, and the value of experience adding to client satisfaction. He talks about how this experience can help with choosing the most valuable tests to run, and what to do with results - especially if they come back normal. 

Episode 14: What might be coming up in 2026 in the veterinary profession?

In this episode, Josh and Suzanne chat with BVA president Rob Williams about the big issues likely to come up for the vet profession in 2026. The long-term impact of the CMA investigation and movement on legislative reform receive a good airing, along with artificial intelligence use in practice - will it be a game changer or just another tool to use in practice? We also discuss the challenge of monitoring for notifiable diseases and the need for investment in government veterinary capability. We also include clips from members of the profession on what will be making the biggest impact on them in 2026 - these were recorded at London Vet Show in November 2025.

Episode 15: Keeping moving with Nick Weston

January sees many people start on a resolution to get fitter and exercise more. However, many of these resolutions fail. In this episode, Nick Weston, a small animal vet, running coach and keen runner himself, gives tips on how to make the resolutions stick. We chat about the benefits of setting realistic goals beyond January, and how to fit it into the busy working life of being a vet. We also talk about the importance of wellbeing and how something as simple as 10 minutes of daylight a day can make a big difference to how you feel.

Episode 16: The uncertain future of Cambridge Vet School

One of the UK's most prestigious vet schools is facing a threat of closure after the University of Cambridge's School of Biological Sciences recommended that this institution should cease to deliver veterinary teaching. What has caused this crisis and how might it affect other vet schools? In this episode, Suzanne Jarvis, the editor of Vet Record, and the journal's senior reporter, Josh Loeb, talk through the factors that have led up to this point, discuss feelings among students and staff, and ask if Cambridge can be saved.

Episode 17: Resetting the regulatory landscape for veterinary professionals

Editor in chief Suzanne Jarvis and senior new reporter Josh Loeb chat about what's in Defra's legislative reform consultation, which is being described as a once in a lifetime opportunity to shape the future of the veterinary professions. This episode also includes an interview with UK deputy chief veterinary officer Ele Brown, who answers questions from Josh about some aspects of the proposals for how the UK veterinary profession

Episode 18 - Insights from Paul Manktelow

Paul Manktelow, veterinary director at Blue Cross, talks about the transition from clinical to leadership roles and how undertaking an MBA gave him the knowledge from outside the sector to make a difference. He talks about how effective leadership makes way for more efficient and happier workplaces, and the need to understand commercial pressures. We also talk about the tensions in the current vet pet sector and how changes in clients' and veterinary graduates' expectations, resources and knowledge might influence what comes next for the profession.

Episode 19: Navigating miscarriage, infertility and assisted fertility in veterinary workplaces

Vet Record recently published a paper on the experiences of vets and vet nurses around miscarriage, infertility and assisted fertility (MIAF) in veterinary workplaces. In this episode, Suzanne talks to two of the authors on the paper, Nat Scroggie and Zoe Belshaw, about the study, which found that nearly a quarter of people left or considered leaving their workplace due to their experiences at the time. Common issues centred around lack of policies or an awareness of them, insufficient leave being available and insensitive comments causing further distress.

Episode 20: How vet professionals can communicate their worth

With the CMA investigation shining a spotlight on veterinary pet services costs and consumer choice, Paul Higgs, chief veterinary officer for CVS, talks to Suzanne about the difference between value and price. We talk about what the tensions are for vet professionals in first-opinion practice, valuing veterinary expertise, and how contextualised care, if done well, can give owners reassurance as well as a sense of value. We also touch on how the proposed reform of the veterinary legislation has the potential to also show the value of veterinary services.