The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has recently published the results from a fourth survey looking into the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the veterinary profession.

The survey was conducted between 1- 7 September, with 3,077 UK veterinary practices receiving the survey. There was an 8% response rate, with 241 practices completing the survey. The level of response was increased by 196 compared to the third survey conducted between 12-16 June. The first two surveys conducted in April and May collected 532 and 251 responses, respectively.

Staff and practice running

One of the key findings from the September survey was an increase in practices reporting things ‘getting back to normal’, with 58% noting that their practices were operating at a ‘near normal’ level. 27% reported that things were ‘business as usual’.  

In June, 58% reported a reduced caseload, decreasing in September to only 11%.

There was also a notable drop in the number of staff still being furloughed, with 10% of practices reporting staff to still be on furlough compared to 47% in June. 26% practices reported staff to be working remotely, a decrease from 45% in June and 55% in April, when the first survey was conducted. 

The September survey also found a drop from 80% to 50% of practices still using remote consulting. 

Practices in September reported that there were still challenges with obtaining equipment and supplies. Problems with obtaining medicines were up to 68%, compared to only 34% respondents reporting problems with obtaining medicines in June. 

Staff wellbeing

64% respondents agreed that their staff wellbeing had suffered as a result of the impact of Covid on veterinary business, with 50% reporting that the outbreak had caused additional stress and pressure on their staff.

The percentage of respondents reporting adverse impacts as a result of furloughing has decreased from the previous surveys, however 56% respondents reported concern about increased stress and impact on the mental health of teams continuing to work in practices.

Business and finance

A new question was introduced for the September study, asking how practice cash flow position has changed compared to pre-Covid-19.  80% of respondents reported that their cash flow had stayed the same or even improved compared to pre-Covid levels, however this means that worryingly, 20%  reported that cash flow had worsened.

There was also a notable improvement when comparing pre-covid turnover to current levels. In June, the majority of respondents reported that practice turnover had reduced (90%) compared to 56% of September respondents reporting it to have stayed the same or increased. 

EMS placements

The third survey in June included questions regarding practices taking on extra-mural studies (EMS) placements. In the September survey, when asked if they would be able to accommodate students back into their practice within the next 6 months, 52% respondents answered yes, compared to only 34% in June. 25% respondents responded by saying that they didn’t know. 

Lizzie Lockett, RCVS CEO, said: “The results from this latest survey indicate that, for many practices, business continues to progress towards normality, with over half of respondents saying they were delivering a ‘near normal’ service.   

“It is heartening to see that cases of staff needing to self-isolate or enter quarantine had decreased, complemented by an equally improving situation regarding furloughed staff – only 10% of practices now had veterinary surgeons on furlough. 

“The specific economic impact of the current pandemic on veterinary practices remains stable at this time, with more than three-quarters of respondents noting no negative impact on their practice’s cash flow. 

“However, the pandemic is far from over, with many areas of the UK entering into new periods of greater restriction even since our survey was carried out.

“In light of the ever-changing situation and new regulations set out by the four UK governments, we would encourage as many practices as possible to engage with our fifth survey – scheduled for November – to allow us to best gauge developments and identify where support and further guidance is needed.”

All four survey reports can be downloaded at www.rcvs.org.uk/coronavirus-surveys.