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Vetlife Helpline reaches over 4,000 contacts
This latest milestone marks a significant increase in demand for its mental health service.
The charity provides confidential support for those in the veterinary profession.

A mental health charity for the veterinary profession has marked a historic milestone, as its helpline exceeded 4,000 contacts for the first time.

The Vetlife Helpline reached a total of 4,042 contacts across 2023, which was a 15 per cent increase on the 2022 total of 3,503 contacts. This latest milestone marks a significant increase in demand for its mental health service.

The helpline supports all members of the veterinary profession, including nurses, students and non-clinical staff. Those needing support are able to access confidential, round-the-clock support.

As part of its services, the Vetlife Helpline continues to support practices which are coping with bereavement due to suicide, offering tailored assistance for each practice.

As well as its Helpline, Vetlife also runs a Health Support service, connecting individuals experiencing mental health issues and disorders with essential mental health care resources. In 2023, Vetlife facilitated 198 referrals through this service.

Vetlife’s Financial Support service, meanwhile, provides financial assistance to veterinary surgeons and nurses. Those in need of support may get professional financial advice or, if needed, monthly grants or one-time gifts.

Across 2023, Vetlife provided over £100,000 in financial aid to those in need.

Vetlife president James Russell said: “I am hugely grateful to the awesome team of trained volunteers, drawn from our professions who ensure that every contact to Vetlife receives a timely and individual response. It is reassuring for me to know that we are providing a listening ear to so many people who need our service.
 
“As the demand on Vetlife Helpline increases, so does the imperative to train more volunteers, and to ensure that more complex needs of callers are being understood and met. This, together with the Health Support service, and our Financial Support service comes at a cost to our charity, and I am delighted that we are undertaking fundraising in a more professional manner than ever.”

You can become a Friend of Vetlife, which gives mental health and financial support to your peers, here. Or to make a donation to Vetlife, visit here.

Image © Shutterstock/Vetlife

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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.