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VN receives award for awareness-raising work
Stuart Reid and Dot Creighton
Dot receiving her award from the outgoing president of the RCVS, Stuart Reid.

Golden Jubilee award presented to Dot Creighton

Dot Creighton has been presented with this year's VN Golden Jubilee Award, in recognition of her exceptional contribution to raising awareness of the veterinary nursing profession.

During her year as president of the British Veterinary Nursing Association, Dot created the concept of VN Awareness Day, which has since become VN Awareness Month.

Every May, thousands of veterinary nurses take part in the event to help raise awareness among the general public of what the profession does and how vital nurses are to clinical practice and animal welfare.

Dot has been a nurse for more than 20 years, working with a variety of species - including kangaroos, lion cubs and giraffes. She is also a former member of the VN Council. Dot currently works at Millennium Veterinary Practice in Essex, where she has been since 2003.

The VN Golden Jubilee Award was launched in 2011 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the RCVS's first veterinary nursing training course. It recognises people who have made outstanding contributions to the profession.

Dot was revealed as the 2015 winner in May and presented with her award on RCVS Day (10 July).

Chair of the VN Council Kathy Kissick commented in May: "Dot is an inspiration to many, many nurses and always commits 100 per cent to the welfare of the animals in her care and to her clients. I congratulate her on achieving this award."

Image courtesy of the RCVS

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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.