Page 10 - Clinical Connections - Autumn 2022

RVC RESEARCH STUDY VETERINARY SERVICES RVC.AC.UK
Production Animals
BEING AN RVC PRODUCTION ANIMAL

RESIDENT

Steph Prior, one of the RVC’s Senior Clinical Training Scholars (Residents), is based at Torch Vets, which
spans Devon and Cornwall. The residencies are practice-based as much as possible to offer maximum
exposure to a wide range of cases in areas of high cattle density. Steph told Clinical Connections about
her residency experience.

n July 2020 I started a new European Completing the residency within the RVC
College of Bovine Health Management team allows me access to the full support
I (ECBHM) residency programme, which offered residents, including a journal club,
was established as a joint venture between which helps to improve my analytical journal
the RVC and Torch Farm Vets (a large reading as well as providing a good base for
independent practice located in North the ECBHM exams. The fortnightly journal
Devon). club also includes the farm interns, who
Before this I had worked in a large present cases that they’ve seen in practice
commercial farm practice in the South West for discussion by the wider RVC team, giving
since graduating from the RVC (in July us all a chance to consider a wide range of
2015). I completed a Certificate in Advanced clinical situations.
Veterinary Practice with the University of As well as mentoring students during
Liverpool and a Postgraduate Certificate in their placements with the Torch team, I also
Veterinary Education at the RVC during my regularly attend the Hawkshead Campus to
first five years in practice – and was looking help with the farm animal husbandry and
for a new challenge. The mix of clinical handling teaching as well as invigilating
practice, academic study, teaching and practical exams. Coming onto site means
research felt like a good challenge. that I can feel part of both the RVC and Torch
teams, despite not living physically close.
Torch The RVC resident team has expanded
Torch Farm Vets has a strong history of during my time and there are now five
working with the RVC’s farm department. ECBHM residents training within the
The practice has formed tracking options College. We have started to arrange
for final year rotations students since 2017 meetings between the sites to allow for case Steph on her residency
and currently hosts up to 40 students each presentation and farm walks, as well as
year. Torch also hosts final year veterinary social events to bring the team together.
students from the University of Glasgow. When I started, I was apprehensive about Becoming a production animal resident
Torch has hosted Interns from the RVC for being the first person through a new at the RVC
several years, giving newly graduated vets a programme but the support of both the
strong introduction into farm clinical practice. RVC and Torch Farm vets has made this a The RVC Production Animal Residencies
The support given to their interns, enabling success. I have really enjoyed learning new are based at a number of settings and are
them to balance their clinical and academic skills and developing throughout the last two open to vets holding a degree registrable
requirements, made me feel that the practice years. with the RCVS. They are three-year
would be well placed to support a residency. postgraduate programmes involving
The practice is large, with over 20 full-time supervised clinical work and applied
farm animal vets – in addition to TB Testers clinical research.
and Veterinary Technicians – and covers Residents receive specialised training in
a diverse range of farming enterprises. the relevant discipline and sit examinations
This range of extensive beef production to for membership of the relevant specialty
intensive large scale dairy farming allows for boards. Residents are also be enrolled on
a varied caseload. the RVC Master of Veterinary Medicine
(MVetMed) programme.
The RVC
The academic support for the residency For more information, visit:
comes from the RVC production animal www.rvc.uk.com/production-animal-
team. I have a primary and secondary residency
supervisor who are both ECBHM diplomats.
Regular meetings, either in person or online,
allows for good quality case discussion,
which improves my practice and supports The ECBHM residents' training day, which For small animal referrals, please call:
my research interests. took place in Madrid this year 01707 666399
Email:
qmhreception@rvc.ac.uk

10 Autumn 2022