In Practice Practice management

Meeting the needs of smallholders

Roberts, V. — 2012-05-10T07:35:05-07:00

Smallholders often keep a range of species with very different needs, and have a responsibility to ensure the welfare of these animals. Victoria Roberts explains how veterinary surgeons can help this growing sector by providing a comprehensive farm health plan and offering guidance and support.

Exit interviews: good practice and good for business

Dingwall, R. — 2012-05-10T07:35:05-07:00

It is good practice for a business to conduct exit interviews when members of staff leave. They provide information that can be useful for business improvement and an opportunity for the transfer of knowledge to replacement staff or other team members. Rita Dingwall offers advice on effective exit interview techniques and gives some sample questions that have been designed to derive the most benefit for the practice as well as the interviewee.

Advertising your business: entering the digital arena

Johnson, J. — 2012-04-16T02:16:26-07:00

As the internet becomes an integral part of life for businesses and consumers alike, veterinary practices need to consider how it can be used to their advantage. Setting up a practice website and using social networking sites and search engine optimisation tools to promote the practice can be either a very effective way of advertising your business and attracting new clients or a waste of time and money. Jeremy Johnson explains how to keep up with the competition while avoiding the potential pitfalls of advertising legislation.

Planning for redundancy: legal and practical considerations

Lea, N. — 2012-04-16T02:16:26-07:00

In the March issue of In Practice, Peter Gripper recommended undertaking a thorough organisational and strategic review of a business to identify alternatives to making redundancies. Here, assuming that the business has already done this and is left with no other option, Nigel Lea explains legal and practical aspects of implementing redundancy.

Clinical audit: application in small animal practice

Dunn, F., Dunn, J. — 2012-04-16T02:16:26-07:00

In an article in the March issue of In Practice, James Dunn outlined a stepwise process for conducting clinical audits in first-opinion small animal practice. In this article, he and Frances Dunn describe how this process might be applied to a specific aspect of small animal practice, using the prescription of fluoroquinolones as an example.

Redundancy: when is it the right decision for a business?

Gripper, P. — 2012-03-13T02:26:52-07:00

Making redundancies may seem like the best option for a practice that is struggling financially. Peter Gripper recommends considering other options, and undertaking a thorough organisational and strategic review, before going ahead.

Clinical audit: a tool in the defence of clinical standards

Dunn, J. — 2012-03-13T02:26:52-07:00

James Dunn outlines the process of clinical audit, arguing that regular clinical audit, at local level, empowers clinicians, improves patient care and provides robust grounds for defence against complaints. In a second article, to be published in the April issue of In Practice, he will use antimicrobial prescription as an example to illustrate the application of clinical audit in veterinary practice.

Supporting older people with pets in sheltered housing

Ormerod, E. — 2012-03-13T02:26:52-07:00

While recent research demonstrates a plethora of health and social benefits associated with pet ownership, many older people in the UK are still denied the opportunity to keep a companion animal. Rules pertaining to pet keeping are often illogical, impermanent and inconsistently applied. Elizabeth Ormerod believes that veterinary practices can be influential in advising housing providers about the benefits of pets and offers advice on how to encourage them to adopt positive pet policies.

Laying your cards on the consulting table

Everitt, S. — 2012-02-13T06:11:41-08:00

Consultations are central to veterinary practice. They allow the veterinary surgeon to discuss options with the client to establish what is in the best interests of the animal patient. This requires effective communication through openness, transparency and an evidence-based approach. In this article, Sally Everitt describes some of the techniques that can be used during consultations to achieve the best results for all involved.

Trouble with snow: preparing your vehicle for winter conditions

Richards, I. — 2012-02-13T06:11:41-08:00

Snow may be an opportunity for many people to have some fun, but it represents quite a different prospect for anyone who has to work in it. Practice managers have a duty to ensure that their staff remain safe when they are on farm visits or house calls. In this article, Iain Richards describes the hazards associated with bad weather and recommends some useful equipment to keep in the boot of your vehicle in case problems arise.

Branching out: a guide to practice expansion

Terry, J. — 2012-02-13T06:11:41-08:00

The extension of practice services through the development of a branch network can boost practice profits significantly. Conversely, it can also be a considerable drain on the resources of an otherwise profitable business. Getting it right requires a strategic approach that is planned and executed carefully to minimise loss and to optimise profitability. Jane Terry describes some factors to consider.

Minimum monitoring for financial health

Gripper, P. — 2012-01-11T08:21:53-08:00

Maintaining financial success is important for every business, and a good manager should track its performance at a number of levels. These parameters may be interlinked and complex, so it is vital to be able to interpret the data collected. In this article, Peter Gripper describes some useful measures of financial performance and explains the importance of internal and external benchmarks.

Embracing the social media revolution

Samuel, S. — 2012-01-11T08:21:53-08:00

Over recent years, the use of social media has increased dramatically. If your veterinary practice chooses not to engage itself with the online community, it is missing a valuable opportunity to encourage recommendations, increase footfall and cement bonds with existing clients. Here, Susie Samuel describes how to set up profiles with some of the most popular social media platforms to facilitate practice marketing.

Keeping it legal: delegation to veterinary nurses

Branscombe, L. — 2012-01-11T08:21:53-08:00

Last year marked the 50th anniversary of veterinary nursing and, with non-statutory regulation of the profession being sought by the majority of its members, it is timely to consider the veterinary nurse's role. In this article, Liz Branscombe explains the procedures that can legally be delegated to veterinary nurses within the veterinary practice, as covered by Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

Back to black: a five-point plan to boost practice profits

Wright, M. — 2011-12-21T04:02:10-08:00

With rising costs, reducing client numbers and increasing competition, the current economic climate is making it more and more difficult for veterinary practices to stay in the black. In this article, Malcolm Wright describes a five-point plan to improve practice performance and management, and help boost practice profits.

Media training for vets in the limelight

Walter, D. — 2011-12-21T04:02:10-08:00

The phrase ‘prevention is better than cure’ crops up frequently in the veterinary world and, when it comes to media appearances, it is far better to be prepared in advance than to have to repair the damage caused by a bad interview. In this article, David Walter explains how a short course in media training could prepare vets for defending the profession against criticism and might even present an opportunity for them to promote it proactively.

In the director's chair: understanding your responsibilities

Miller, J. — 2011-12-21T04:02:10-08:00

A director's responsibility is to manage a company's resources to deliver profitability. This requires specific personality traits, continuous learning and an understanding of the legislation governing employment and directorship. In this article, Julie Miller describes the role of limited company directors, including their responsibilities as both employers and employees.