RE: Unsupportive Mangement

VetNurse Anon a/c — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 12:25:46 GMT

Thank you for your reply. We approached management again with our concerns and constructive ideas on how we can move forward to feel more supported and kept more in the loop with outcomes following on from situations such as these. Hopefully things will start to improve for everyone now

RE: Unsupportive Mangement

Alison Clare Hickman — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 02:58:44 GMT

Hiya,

Oh bless you...hugs for you and your caring team.

Simply put, your post is about wanting to improve patient outcomes... Be that by a. level of service provided or by b. welfare.

It strikes me that for

a. This is something dictated by your management and is lead from the top. Things will only change if they see a need for it; usually a business need, such as falling profit. Falling profit, in this case, could have its roots in client displeasure at the service level/cost compared to their expectations and then taking their business elsewhere. (As one example).

It sounds like your discussions/flag raising in this aspect have fallen on deaf ears. Sadly, not much more I feel you can do about it. As detailed above, other factors might do!

b. This is a serious matter. Clearly the Locum needs support, as you detail. It sounds like (sadly) it will not be long before a complaint will be raised. No one wants that and least of all the (potential) animal suffering as a result of a misdiagnosis. Difficult.

Have you sat down with the Locum and had a one to one chat over a coffee? Couched in the words such as "the team needs you/I need you to help us raise the standards of care in the practice. What do you think could be done differently?" This approach is an open door to you asking if your Locum might appreciate more support from management. Perhaps you might suggest you "go together to them with ideas" to show solidarity.

It is far more effective if your Locum approaches management themselves with an "I need support/guidance from you to do/change this..." request, than you/your team raising worries, which is now seen as griping.

I realise that the above is hugely difficult and certainly any success will hinge on your Locum being receptive to your support, acting on it if they are and then management doing something with the request.

I think this approach is the softest one I can think of that risks the least to you speaking out and assists the Locum (who may simply be floundering due to the lack of guidance) AND may vitally result in improved patient outcomes (and as an added bonus, better service for clients, whoop whoop!).

Clearly, reporting evidenced concerns about your Locum's failures to the 'highest authorities' (thinking RCVS) remains. Not to be used at all lightly.

Would agree with you that if you, as an RVN, are unhappy about anything that should jeopardise your professional conduct/responsibilities you continue to politely decline to participate. That is your right.

Talking helps though...I'm all for communication (even for asking the difficult questions). But it is a 2-way street so if you get no positive responses...well, fact is I would pick up my (dog) bed and leave... That's your (sad, unsatisfactory, heart-rending) ultimate solution.

Perhaps there's something here you can use. I hope you can sort things out to resolve every beings happiness safety and welfare .

Good luck and let us know how you get on.