Siân Burwood

The veterinary world is a small one, and yet at times it is still possible to feel insignificant and isolated within it. After many years in small animal first opinion practice, I was feeling this in 2024, and really wondered where my place was in the profession I had tried so hard to be part of.

One year on, and my outlook has been revolutionised by reaching out to the wider industry, with BVA being instrumental in this. Meeting so many dedicated and interesting people who are actively working to make the profession a better place for those of us in it (and so in turn improve animal welfare) has reinvigorated my enthusiasm for calling myself a vet, and given me great hope for a better future. The experience of attending BVA Members Day in September has now brought me to apply to be the West Midlands representative on Council. I want to help other members reach out to the wider profession, so that they can feel involved too.

I have worked in first opinion practice for my entire career, and feel representation of those at the front line is absolutely vital to balance those that have followed a more specialist or academic path. As a GP, I can listen with compassion, identify the questions that need answering, assess data and then formulate a range of options to bring about a satisfying conclusion for several parties. The multiple contentious issues facing the veterinary industry may not be simply sorted in a few consultations, but I firmly believe that by scaling up these first principles with good common sense, we can find solutions together. The current veterinary and political landscape is complex, but by active participation with the members of the West Midlands, I can ensure that our diverse concerns and experiences are part of shaping ongoing policy, lobbying and campaigning priorities.

Communication is central to my veterinary work, which now includes veterinary journalism alongside small animal locum work (increasing my appreciation for Vet Record and In Practice even further!) Acting as a conduit of veterinary information for different groups is what I do best (whether talking to patients, clients, colleagues or the public), and I feel ideally places me to relay the opinions of members to Council. I can provide an informed steer for policy writing, whilst also scanning the horizon for the emerging hot topics of interest to the profession.

It is a great honour to represent the vets of the West Midlands region, which contains great diversity in terms of geography, demographics and veterinary services offered. This is a gift, meaning policy creation based on a wide range of lived experience, if all those voices are given a chance to be heard.