1. Professional Practice for the Veterinary Technician – Clinical Governance
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The Seven Pillars of Clinical Governance
• Risk management
• Clinical audit
• Education, training and CPD
• Clinical effectiveness
• Information
• Client experience and involvement
• Staffing and staff management
Relevance to the Veterinary Profession
As a Veterinary Technician can you think of at least 2 examples (2 different pillars) of
where and how clinical governance fits in your veterinary practice and how were you
involved? [ Choose 2 of the pillars to elaborate your answers Max. 1 page]
• Clinical effectiveness: I wrote a set of protocols for vet techs within Westpoint farm
vets. The protocols were written using some research along with my knowledge and
experience in tasks such as disbudding, dehorning, vaccinations, blood sampling and
freeze branding. The protocols were checked over, edited, and signed off by our clinical
director and deemed to be suitable in providing other vet techs within the company,
with the knowledge and guidance required to carry out the task, of course physical
demonstrations and practice safely and effectively would also be part of any training.
By having all vet techs following the same procedure this would ensure the best
possible outcome for the animals and their owners. Please see attached protocols.
• Education, training and CPD: Westpoint farm vets actively seek and promote learning
opportunities relevant to its employees, and support Vets, Veterinary students, new
graduates, and vet techs to access any learning opportunities available to them.
Westpoint provide their own training as well as sourcing it externally, they have forged
partnerships with manufacturers, reps and organisations that provide training days
in various subjects. Since being employed I have been on various training days, as well
as health and safety and other mandatory training. I have been to a farm CPD event
put on by vet partners, where we covered professionalism and communication, the role

2. Professional Practice for the Veterinary Technician – Clinical Governance
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of the support teams in developing business, health planning and more. I have recently
attended a two-day course on parasitology and grazing management. I am due to
attend a sheep scanning course in December. Westpoint have funded my training as an
SQP with Vetpol, that I am currently undertaking and were keen to support my wish
to undergo this apprenticeship. I source my own CPD such as that on the Boehringer
Academy and other recommended sites. Westpoint also offer meetings and training to
its clients. Myself and a newly graduated vet have recently been approved to start up
a small holders club where as part of the membership the client will receive a copy of
a hand book that myself and my colleague will be writing on basic animal husbandry,
what toxic forage to be aware of, how to treat minor injuries, how to house, when to
vaccinate and why etc.
• Client involvement: