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.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 1st February 2024
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

New chair appointed for RCVS Ethics Review Panel
The ERP offers an ethics review mechanism for researchers based in practice.
Prof Nicola Menzies-Gow will head the research review process.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has appointed Professor Nicola Menzies-Gow as the new chair of its Ethics Review Panel (ERP).

The ERP, first trialled in 2016, offers an ethics review mechanism for researchers that are based in practice, and therefore do not get this process through university or industry connections.

The subcommittee has been led by Prof David Morton CBE since the trial period was first launched. In this time, the ERP has reviewed more than 530 research proposals.

It will now be chaired by Prof Nicola Menzies-Gow FRCVS, professor in equine medicine at the Royal Veterinary College.

Prof Menzies-Gow has been a member of RCVS ERP for the past three years. She has also had the role of chair of the Clinical Research Ethical Review Board at the Royal Veterinary College.

In this role, Prof Menzies-Gow will lead the panel as it provides ethics reviews for researchers that are working in veterinary practice as they submit clinical veterinary research project applications.

Prof Morton, the outgoing chair, said: “I have been privileged to be a member of the Ethics Review Panel and to be its chair, and have learned much from my fellow reviewers. They certainly have made my job easier.

“I have always tried to ensure that the ERP maintains the highest standards whilst not disheartening the applicants by its reviews.”

The newly appointed chair, Prof Menzies-Gow, said: “I am honoured to be offered this position.”

She added: “It is vitally important that all research, regardless of where it is undertaken, undergoes ethical review to ensure that robust results are produced especially when they have the potential to influence clinical practice, and so I really welcome the work the ERP has been undertaking.

“As chair of the ERP I hope to build on the success of my predecessor and continue to support those working in clinical practice that is not associated with a university to undertake valuable research and add to the body of evidence that supports our clinical decision-making.”

Image © RCVS

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

Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.