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VPMA launch Member Assistance Programme
Julie Beacham
Julie Beacham, VPMA Honorary Secretary.
Programme provides a 24-hour confidential helpline for VPMA members

A new Member Assistance Programme was launched at the recent VPMA-SPVS Congress.

VPMA say that the programme was created to fill a needs gap for managers with somewhere to go for help on a range of issues from personal to professional.

The programme will provide a 24-hour confidential helpline for VPMA members, backed up by a Wellness portal where they can access range of support tools.

The need for such a scheme was stressed by VPMA Honorary Secretary, Julie Beacham:  “It’s very difficult for some practice managers, who find themselves in a limbo-situation between providing direction and support for employees, while trying to comply with their responsibilities towards their practice principal or employer.

"We’d had many reports of managers really struggling with no-where to go to find help for themselves. So, working with a provider, we came up with a package that gives each of our members, and their immediate families, support for both work-related issues such as financial and legal support, as well as personal issues such as stress and family matters.”

Senior vice-president Helen Sanderson added: “Our members are our central focus – and along with the CPD and networking opportunities that VPMA provides, we wanted to support well-being. We hope that through the programme, practice managers will feel that they are not alone."

The Member Assistance Programme is available free of charge to all VPMA members. For further details, contact the VPMA Secretariat on 07000 782 324. Non-members wishing to join the association and access the programme should email the secretariat at secretariat@vpma.co.uk. 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.