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Raising awareness of veterinary careers
Image: Countryfile
The stand was transformed into a 'make-believe' veterinary practice

College attends BBC Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace

Staff from the RCVS talked to members of the public attending the event about veterinary careers, the Find a Vet search tool, the Practice Standards Scheme, and roles within a veterinary practice.
 
The stand was transformed into a ‘make-believe’ veterinary practice with activities for both children and adults, including a number of surgical models for prospective young veterinary surgeons to ‘operate’ on and a model dog on which future veterinary nurses could practice their bandaging skills.
 
There was also a game – ‘Who’s who in your vet practice?’ – to help explain to show-goers the different roles within a typical veterinary practice team, including animal care assistants, veterinary nurses, advanced practitioners and RCVS specialists.
 
Over the four days, College staff, along with RCVS and VN Council members – including RCVS president, Stephen May, handed out about 1,500 canvas bags to the public, all of which included information about the Find a Vet search tool, ‘Who’s who’ leaflets describing the different roles in a veterinary practice, and Practice Standards Scheme bookmarks.
 
Ian Holloway, head of communications at the RCVS, said: “Events such as BBC Countryfile Live and the National Pet Show present us with a great opportunity to meet members of the animal-owning public, chat to them about our role and the services we provide, and explain more about the veterinary and veterinary nursing professions.

“People seemed reassured to hear about the Practice Standards Scheme, and particularly interested in our Find a Vet service, so I would urge practices to ensure their details are up to date online.”

Photo (C) RCVS

 

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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.