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Record number of candidates for VN Council election
A record number of RVNs have put themselves forward for the 2021 VN Council election.
Fourteen candidates will compete for the one available place.

More candidates than ever before have come forward to run in the 2021 RCVS Veterinary Nurses (VN) Council election, the RCVS has confirmed.

The RCVS extended its nomination period to the end of February after receiving just one nomination for the VN Council election - Susan Howorth RVN - who has automatically been re-elected to VN Council for another three-year term.  

Fourteen candidates have since stepped up to compete for the one available place. They are:

  • Samantha Jayne Anderson
  • Kirsten Cavill
  • Rebecca Jane Clark
  • Sophie Louise Connolly
  • Olivia Jade Dunlop
  • Thomas Griffiths
  • Daniel James Hogan
  • Steven David Patrick Johnson
  • Carly Kilby
  • Donna Leigh Lewis
  • Lee Thomas Vaughan
  • Francesca Ware
  • Diana Elizabeth Joyce Wilson
  • Tania Yelland.
     
VN Council chair Matthew Rendle said: “This is quite an astonishing development to go from having just one candidate to a new record, but I am very thankful for the 14 colleagues who have come forward and who are showing a commitment to join VN Council and help drive forward our profession. 

“To my fellow members of the profession, please do make sure to engage with the election and cast your vote. VN Council not only makes important decisions on matters relating to veterinary nursing training & education and registration but, along with the British Veterinary Nursing Association, also helps set the direction of travel for the VN Futures project which is looking at how our profession can be a vibrant, rewarding and sustainable one, now and in the future.”

Voting commence online the week beginning 15 March 2021, when eligible members of the profession will receive an email from Civica Election Services. The deadline closes at 5 pm on Friday, 23 April 2021.

More information about the election and each of the candidates is available at rcvs.org.uk/vnvote21 

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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.