BVA president Anna Judson celebrates 10 years of the Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey and the impact it has had on animal welfare and the profession.

At BVA, we’re passionate about providing a strong voice for vets. But to do that we need to be confident that we’re speaking about the issues that matter to our members and accurately reflecting their experiences.

Ten years ago we recognised that we needed more insight into the concerns, challenges and experiences of our members to help us deliver influential, evidenced-based campaigns that could drive positive change.

So, in 2014 we created BVA’s Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey panel, giving BVA members a direct opportunity to shape and influence the important issues that matter most to them and the profession.

I signed up for the panel soon after it launched because I recognised the important role that data plays in understanding the concerns of the profession and adding weight to BVA’s campaigns. I see the value and impact of the survey responses daily as a BVA officer, and regularly refer to the statistics in media and wider lobbying and engagement work.

From concerns around disease risk and animal welfare, through to veterinary workplace culture and workforce retention issues, Voice continues to deliver insightful data, raising the profile of vets and their work in media; driving legislative reform; and shaping the profession.

This year, Voice data has been central to our responses to the Competition and Markets Authority’s review of the UK vet services market for pets, both in our submission and when standing up for the profession in the media.

We send out three or four surveys a year, each one is totally optional and takes just 5-10 minutes to complete.