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BVNA awards honorary membership to Nicholas Taylor RVN
BVNA president Lyndsay Hughes with Nicholas Taylor.
Association also confirms its charity of the year.

The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) has awarded Nicholas Taylor honorary membership.

He was elected to the position during the BVNA's annual general meeting in October in recognition of his contribution to the veterinary nursing profession.

A former president of the BVNA between 1999-2000, Mr Taylor began his career as a trainee veterinary nurse in 1985, before working predominantly in small animal and mixed practices and hospitals.

After a period as a diagnostic radiographer for the NHS, during which he maintained his VN status in a non-practising role, he returned to the veterinary sector in 2020 as a referral radiographer.

Mr Taylor received the honorary membership 25 years after he started his term as BVNA president. Among his contributions to the veterinary nursing profession has been establishing an annual bursary to enable student veterinary nurses to attend BVNA Congress.

The BVNA's annual general meeting, which took place during BVNA Congress, also saw the association confirm its charity of the year for 2024-25.

The Daphne Shipman Benevolent Fund has been chosen. The charity was set up in memory of Daphne Shipman, who served as chief steward for BVNA Congress for many years.

The charity provides helps to BVNA members and their spouses, relations or dependents who are in need, hardship or distress.

Image © BVNA

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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.