We have set lunchtimes for our receptionists and nurses which are shift dependent. We make sure our vets get their lunch breaks. If they miss lunch they get the time back.
Administration time is specially assigned to ensure the team can return phone calls reports lab results and discuss cases with colleagues. We find time set aside is needed so that the team don't have to cram everything in around ops and consults.

We often have requests for flexibility within our workplace. These are always listened to and we do try to see whether we can accommodate changes in the rota to work around peoples personal life's. Proposed changes are discussed with the team as rota changes impact the whole practice and whilst we want to help everyone we always look to find a balance. Its give and take.

We are very lucky to have a well staffed and experienced vet team so we feeel really well equiped to support new grads. We assign a buddy to help them find their feet. They get extended consult times and longer breaks to allow them time to discuss cases with colleagues and look up necessary information.
They are supported surgically and will always have a vet to assist until they feel fully comfortable in their own abilities.
The monthly meetings allow us to discuss strengths and weaknesses to address problem areas early. The team can then be aware of where extra support is needed.

CVS have a pay structure which is role and experience dependent. The pay review process however is based upon merit. It takes into account team leader opinions about job role fulfilment and allow those who are working hard to be rewarded as such.
Pay reviews are discussed with every individual so that everyone is clear on the reasons for any salary changes.

Our Practice manager Hayley has been with Argyll for the past 26 years and she's trying to make changes. She grafted her way to the top from saturday girl to nurse to head nurse and look at her now. She's been through it all so really understands our nursing team and their needs but is an inspiration to the team to see what they can achieve.

Our nurses have been incredible with adapting to the challenges faced during the past few years, often sacrificing their own personal growth and development to help their team. We are so grateful to them all and happy to finally be in a position to give back to our nursing team to support their own career goals.
We have nurse led consults which have been extremely popular. The nursing team are relishing engaging with our clients and showing how capable they are at providing the best animal care. They can really showcase their knowledge and they get great satisfaction from building their own relationships with our clients.
We try so hard to help them achieve their own work goals and have actively helped nurses move onto their next step. We have becky leaving next month to go into referral nursing. Sofia leaving to become an army nurse and Lin joined Heart vets where she is thriving.

Ensuring the team have an appropriate amount of admin time has reduced the need for overtime. The the team supports each other and work together throughout the day to ensure everyone leaves on time. When this fails it is usually due to the emergency nature of our work and we either give toil to the team affected or pay.