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BVNA launches Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month 2025
BVNA president Lyndsay Hughes has launched VNAM 2025.

The organisation is celebrating its diamond anniversary.
 
Ahead of Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month (VNAM) in May, organisers BVNA are calling on the profession to champion veterinary nurses and raise public awareness of their important role.

As BVNA marks its 60th anniversary year, the theme of this year’s campaign will be ‘progression’, with a focus on how the veterinary nursing profession has developed and its ambitions for future growth.

During the celebrations, BVNA’s popular VNAM competition will return with a special theme to mark the organisation’s diamond anniversary. Veterinary nursing teams, individual RVNs or whole practice teams are invited to share why they are considered “the diamond in your practice”.

The competition is also open to nominations from from friends, family, pet owners and caregivers, with two winner and two runner-up prizes of either a £100 or £50 Love2Shop voucher up for grabs.

BVNA president, Lyndsay Hughes said: ‘“I am delighted to launch VNAM for another year, and even more so as we mark BVNA’s diamond 60th anniversary since the association was founded. The progression of veterinary nursing as a profession has very much been shaped by trailblazers in BVNA’s history; those who have not been afraid to stand up for fellow veterinary nurses in order to influence positive change.

“Whilst VNAM recognises and celebrates the veterinary nursing profession of today, we’re also celebrating and thanking those individuals who worked tirelessly to get us here. BVNA fundamentally believes that, as a skilled, professional and caring workforce, veterinary nurses fully deserve to be championed and for their role to be better understood by the public. 

“This is especially important as BVNA is continuing to push towards much needed legislative change; for protection of our title, proper utilisation of our training and skillsets, and an even greater contribution to animal welfare. 

She continued: “We’re urging everyone across the veterinary profession, in clinical or non-clinical settings, to support the campaign and highlight just how important veterinary nurses are – to animal welfare, to your team, and to your business.”

“VNAM provides us all with the opportunity to stand up and be proud of our profession – and for veterinary colleagues working alongside SVNs and RVNs to recognise our contributions too. We look forward to celebrating VNAM once again this year and seeing all the creative ways that veterinary teams are educating the public about our incredible profession. 

“I hope this year’s VNAM gives veterinary nurses everywhere the same boost of energy and inspiration that it always does for me.”

More information about VNAM 2025 and details of this year's competition can be found at bvna.org.uk

Image (C) 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.