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Empowering nurses at BSAVA Congress
Helen Silver-MacMahon will be speaking about delegation at BSAVA Congress.

Andy Green and Helen Silver-MacMahon to speak on time management and leadership.

The BSAVA has announced a series of time management and leadership modules for veterinary nurses at its upcoming congress.

Led by Andy Green, people director at Pennard Vets in Kent, and RVN, Helen Silver-MacMahon, VN research and development director at VetLed, the sessions will explore how veterinary nurses are uniquely placed to ensure a practice runs smoothly and efficiently. 

Depending on the circumstances, harnessing the full potential of the practice team can require structural changes, a shift in organisational culture, and investing in people. Such topics will be explored by Andy and Helen throughout the congress, with a particular focus on the central role of the veterinary nurse.

As Andy explains: “High-functioning practices, revolve around the nurses. Naturally, they are a communication hub. And let’s face it, if a vet wants to do something outside of the consult room, they will need a nurse. It makes sense to recognise the essential role they play and develop a nurse-centric structure.”

During their talks, Helen and Andy will explore how to help nurses upskill and become confident in working at the highest possible level and the benefits that come from this, such as mitigating the effects of recruitment and retention issues. 

Helen said: “Where nurses’ contribution and potential are recognised, and the hierarchy is shallowed, they make incredible leaders. At BSAVA Congress 2023, I’ll be speaking about delegation. 

“As leaders, we feel we have to ‘own’ tasks and that inevitably means doing it ourselves. But that’s not always the best option. It can leave leaders feeling overwhelmed. Whereas delegating tasks can empower others, build resilience within the team and help with retention.”

The talks take place at BSAVA Congress 2023, Manchester Central, on 23rd-25th March 2023. Discover the complete programme at bsavaevents.com

Image (C) BSAVA.

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.