Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

BVNA Council elections results announced
"I would like to thank all of the 296 members for taking the time to vote" - Jo Hinde, BVNA president.
Six new full Council members and one new student council member.

The results of the 2020 BVNA Council elections have been announced.

This year's election saw six new full Council members and one new student council member added to the BVNA Council. A total of 14 candidates stood for full membership, and the following members were elected:

  • Lyndsay Hughes
  • Charlotte Pace
  • Lacey Pitcher
  • Laura Richards
  • Laura Rosewell
  • Craig Tessyman
Molly Vallance was appointed, uncontested as a student member.

“2020 continues to be a year of curveballs and resulted in an interesting conundrum for our council elections,” commented BVNA president Jo Hinde. “For the first time in BVNA history, there was a tie for the final council seat!

“On Sat 11 July, during the main council meeting, the full council were presented with the Anonymized manifestos of the two tied candidates and each council member voted for their preferred candidate. This was an unprecedented situation for us and I’m very pleased that we were able to resolve the issue in a fair and timely manner.

She continued: “I would like to thank all of the 296 members for taking the time to vote and I am very much looking forward to meeting our newly elected council members soon.”

Katie Spackman, head of membership and events at BVNA added: “We’re delighted to see the number of nominations for the 2020 elections increase by 100 per cent from last year. During the online event ‘Meet the Candidates’ I was really impressed by the professionalism and the passion of each candidate and of the content of their manifestos.

“I look forward to working with the new council members to continue to build our reputation as the Voice of Veterinary Nursing.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.