Yes, we can!
Nothing can stop us
When I wrote ‘Stay safe’, I left something behind. I left a call to uphold morale. Over the last few days, we have seen how unprepared government, society, and companies have been for what we knew was around the corner…
But let me tell you something: I’m impressed by many of my profession. Yes, there is the odd one who doesn’t seem to hear the message unless we drill it into their head; but most people’s approach has been second to none. The vet profession is possibly in the direst time of our generation because the decisions here aren’t black and white for us. We are at a disadvantage when we talk about clarity.
Let me explain: If you are a key NHS worker, you need to go to work, the country needs you at the front lines. If you can work from home, you need to stay there, the country needs you to stop spreading the virus. These choices might not be easy, but at least they are clear.
Not that straight forward with the clinical aspect of our trade. The veterinary nightmare arrived when we realised that we have to take our hands off animals so we can save humans lives, and I’m sure many of us are struggling to come to terms with this radical change. I’m however impressed by how many of us have responded. Starting with all the practice staff at my practice Lawrence Veterinary Centre, I extend this recognition to the whole profession. Since last week, we started thinking about society without taking our eyes off our patients.
Whether you’re a locum struggling to know where to sleep or where to find work in the next few weeks, a business or practice manager trying to make sense of how best to protect your practice’s staff against financial hardship and disease, a vet nurse or vet surgeon managing client and pet needs, part of the support team answering phones with little information or simply following rules and understanding how difficult it is to make decisions from the top; I want to congratulate you for doing the right thing, whoever you are. I know I’m only talking about smallies here, but only because that’s all I know. I’m sure other sectors of our profession are facing difficult choices too.
I also want to make a special mention to those who are trying their best behind scenes too. I know many organisations have worked tirelessly against the clock, trying to find clarity on what we are supposed to do. Even the BVA president had the balls to give us a webinar on what to do when, I suspect, not even they knew what rules the government had in mind.
I know many things have not been sorted yet, but I will appeal to your patience. Our network is strong and I’m sure we are all doing what we can so nobody is left behind. Honestly, if we have managed these radical changes on how to approach our work in merely two weeks, I’m certain nothing can stop us.
I’m immensely proud of my team, the profession and being a UK vet today.
