Meet Dr Julie Cayzer BSc (Hons), BVSc, MSc, MRCVS

Hi Julie, can we start by asking you to introduce yourself?

Hello! I am Julie Cayzer, Quality Improvement (QI) development lead at RCVS Knowledge, based at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) office in London where i work in partnership with the University of Nottingham. My role is part-funded by UKRI Innovate UK, and has been developed as a new role to help RCVS Knowledge develop resources and support for veterinary teams to adopt innovative evidence-based solutions and technologies to address complex problems.

Please briefly describe your current role and professional interests?

With over three decades of experience supporting animal health and welfare in roles across government, mixed practice and education, I completed an MSc in Sustainability and Behaviour Change at the Centre for Alternative Technology in 2025. For my dissertation, I created a training programme to promote responsible use of pet parasiticides by vets and their teams using a One Health approach. This supports positive outcomes for animals, humans as well as the environment. During completion of the dissertation, I was invited to join the Greener Veterinary Practice working group of Vet Sustain and support the Pet Parasiticide sub-group to create their new resources. I subsequently took on the role of secretary to the working group, working alongside its chair, Nicole Dyer. Over recent years a growing number and range of veterinary teams have embraced QI techniques to make systematic, measurable improvements to their practice. In this new three-year role with RCVS Knowledge and the University of Nottingham, I will support veterinary teams with the resources and tools to implement innovative, evidence-based solutions to tackle complex challenges through a One Health lens. The project will identify, develop and test an evidence-based QI model applicable to the vet sector aiming to transform the quality of veterinary care for better outcomes to support more efficient and sustainable practice. It will assess the costs of using the model against the benefits to clients, their animals and the practice, using a scenario in farm practice (calf pneumonia prevention and control) as its initial focus. The aim is to help time-poor practitioners successfully implement QI methods and demonstrate business benefits. These could include helping veterinary practices and businesses to operate more sustainably and efficiently, achieve better clinical outcomes, and improve team wellbeing. The project launches as veterinary businesses come under increased pressure to optimise efficiency while maintaining high levels of animal health and welfare. The completed model will address these challenges in a practical, evidence-based manner, while supporting RCVS Knowledge’s and the University of Nottingham’s vision for healthier animals, people and planet.

it sounds like a fascinating new role, what does a typical day look like for you?

I mostly work from home, travelling about four days a month, either to the RCVS office in London or to the University of Nottingham, to meet colleagues. In my role, I work in collaboration with the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science (including the Centre for Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine and Ruminant Population Health) and Nottingham University Business School. In addition, my work is guided by insights from a wide range of stakeholders from across the veterinary industry and its clients to ensure the outcomes provided through use of the model are supported by real-world experience.

What is your favourite part of the job?

I want to make a difference. I love collaboration, learning from experts and practitioners every day as I discuss the potential of sustainable QI with colleagues. The teams at RCVS Knowledge and at the University of Nottingham have been incredibly welcoming and there is a wealth of knowledge and expertise which I can tap into to ensure the quality of this project’s outcome. It includes a variety of differing research elements, from interviews and focus groups to practical interventions to testing the model. This will enable us to build interest from the wider profession and it’s also an opportunity for ongoing learning for me.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

So far, I haven’t found one!

Do you have any tips for achieving a good work-life balance?

Planning well to ensure that you can see what you have achieved every day and having a set start and finish time are key. Over the course of my career, I have learned methods to support my mental health including use of the NHS five pillars of wellbeing (Connect, Learn, (be) Active, Notice and Give back). My family, friends and three cats keep me focussed on life beyond work too.

How do veterinary professionals currently help to drive sustainability?

Working with the team at Vet Sustain has shown how much can be achieved by a small group of keen, skilled volunteers. The Pet Parasiticide resources are an excellent example of how this community working together can create practical support for their professional colleagues. I also volunteer with Human Behaviour Change for Life, a CiC. We all need to do things differently with individuals acting as part of wider action to bring about the necessary change. Following your values to act will support your own wellbeing as well as tackle the triple crisis of climate change, ecological destruction and pollution.

What do you feel are the major opportunities to drive sustainability in the veterinary sector?

In this new role, applying a sustainability lens to identify opportunities for continuous improvement across veterinary practice will be central to my work, benefiting both clinicians and the teams that support them. I have attended courses run by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare which supports colleagues in human healthcare to work more sustainably. I will embed these learnings into the QI model that we develop. The first phase of the project I’m working on will focus on the dairy and beef sector, with improved outcomes for animal welfare and sustainable and efficient practice being key aims. Farmers and their vets are already aware of the importance of sustainability from the environmental, economic and ethical points of view, making this an excellent testing ground for the new QI model. Expansion to companion animal and equine colleagues will follow as the project progresses.

What are your top tips for veterinary professionals wishing to take the first steps to drive sustainability in their roles?

Firstly, find a buddy in your practice. Everyone can make a difference but collaboration with colleagues makes it fun and potentially more impactful. Raising potential ideas as part of a green team is much easier than being a lone voice, and there will definitely be others who feel that they want to be part of the solution. Secondly, start with easy wins to get a quick boost to everyone’s confidence and celebrate your successes not only with the whole team but also your clients. Finally, listen to your team as they can all bring great ideas to the table with each role seeing things differently, from their own perspective.

If you could wave a magic wand and make one improvement to drive the sustainability impact of the veterinary profession, what would it be?

I would like every clinical or non-clinical improvement that vet practice teams make to include a focus on sustainability. We need to look at the wider implications of the resources we use, including development of team members to ensure they reach their full potential.

Click here to find out more about Julies work at RCVS Knowledge