New course to educate profession on diversity

CVS has launched a new ‘Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for All’ course for veterinary practices across the UK.

Believed to be the first course of its type produced specifically for the veterinary sector, it aims to help educate colleagues about the subject of Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and is relevant to anyone working in the veterinary community, including non-clinical staff.

The course looks at how to create a more inclusive environment for colleagues and clients.

It also covers definitions of diversity and inclusion, and investigates the difference between equity and equality – and why it is so important.

Course learning materials also consider the topics of bias, prejudice, protected characteristics and discrimination – and how colleagues might challenge any non-inclusive behaviours through interactive veterinary context scenarios.

Nimisha Patel-Cook and Claire Dennison, Learning Partner and Employee Experience Lead at CVS, who jointly developed the course, said: “We want to increase the levels of diversity within the veterinary community, but to achieve and sustain more diverse workforces we know we need to foster inclusive and equitable workplaces.

“Everyone plays a part in that. So we have created this new course and are making it available to any colleague working the veterinary community.

“In time we hope that it contributes to an inclusive and psychologically safe culture for all within the sector.”

The course is available at https://knowledgehub.cvsukltd.co.uk.