**Increased Veterinarian Burdens Generate Animal Welfare Concerns in Wales**
The rising number of veterinary professionals in Wales is juxtaposed with escalating challenges in animal health care, raising significant concerns regarding animal welfare among local veterinarians. Recent data from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) indicates that the count of veterinarians in Wales has increased from just over 1,000 in 2014 to an anticipated 1,488 by 2024. However, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) contends that these figures fail to account for the dramatic surge in pet ownership witnessed during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. As pet ownership surged, thanks to new pandemic adoptions, the workload for vets has significantly increased, potentially hindering their capacity to provide care.
Moreover, the bureaucratic workload placed on veterinarians has intensified following the enactment of post-Brexit regulations. The increased paperwork demands have diverted attention away from direct animal care, significantly impacting the quality of veterinary services. Resultant from these changes, veterinarians find themselves bogged down with extensive documentation and compliance checks, which compromises their ability to treat animals efficiently and effectively.
A staggering statistic highlights the challenge facing veterinarians: over three million households in the UK welcomed new pets during the pandemic, raising the total number of pets to more than 17 million. Elizabeth Harries, a practicing veterinarian who graduated a decade ago, voiced her frustration regarding the increasing bureaucratic pressures that limit her interaction with animals. “I thought I’d be out and about doing all the fun things,” Harries lamented, “but unfortunately, there’s a lot of paperwork that has increased.” These tasks involve meticulous record-keeping—cataloging every visit, medication administered, and compliance with farm health plans—which could consume up to three hours of her workday just on paperwork alone.
Despite her workload, Harries emphasizes that clinical responsibilities take precedence. Unfortunately, this reality often means veterinarians perform a substantial portion of their paperwork after hours once they’ve officially finished their clinical duties. This unfortunate circumstance has led to concerns that the sustainability of veterinary services in the long run may be compromised if the current trends continue.
Aside from the concerns of individual veterinarians, the broader implications on animal welfare are severe. Harries makes frequent visits to various farms, including Blaenffynnon Farm in Horeb, Ceredigion, where maintaining a positive relationship with the livestock owners is essential for safeguarding animal health. She warns that a reduction in these vital visits would be detrimental to animal welfare. “If we can’t provide a service 24/7, it’s going to have a real negative impact on animal health and welfare,” she asserts, emphasizing the importance of consistent veterinary oversight.
Ffion Rees, a farmer at Blaenffnon, concurs with Harries’s assertions. For Rees and many others in the agricultural community, the accessibility of veterinary services is critical. “When we call the vet, we really do need them,” she stressed, underlining the urgent need for veterinary professionals available around the clock. The implications of withdrawal or reduction of veterinary services in rural areas could lead to dire consequences for animal health.
In response to these pressing challenges, the Welsh government acknowledges the necessity to monitor veterinary capacity and capabilities continuously. Furthermore, efforts to bolster veterinary education continue at the growing veterinary school in Aberystwyth, which plays a crucial role in nurturing future veterinarians in Wales. At the same time, the UK government is actively collaborating with relevant stakeholders to address shortages in the profession, including considerations for establishing a new veterinary agreement with European partners.
Navigating through these emerging challenges, the intersection of increased workloads, the bond between agriculture and veterinary services, and the overarching need for animal welfare support highlights the urgent, multifaceted needs of veterinary services in Wales.
