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UK One Health Coordination Group names new chair
Helen Ballantyne was selected as chair for her experience in both the human and animal healthcare professions.
Helen Ballantyne RVN selected for her experience in animal and human health sectors.

Multi-disciplined human and animal health nurse Helen Ballantyne has been named as the new chair of the UK One Health Coordination Group (UKOHCG) for 2020/2021.

The One Health Coordination Group comprises specialists from across the UK veterinary, environmental and human healthcare sectors. Its 2019 report One Health in Action included initiatives from the Wildlife Trusts, the Royal College of Nursing, the NHS Sustainable Development Unit, the BVA, RCVS Mind Matters and the National Trust.

Helen Ballantyne was selected as chair of the UKOHCG for her experience in both the animal and human healthcare professions. The group will work together to promote UK 'One Health' initiatives which seek to attain optimal health for animals, people, and the environment.

“I feel deeply honoured to be given the opportunity to chair this passionate and forward-thinking group of people as we share One Health knowledge and disseminate examples of effective collaborative initiatives,” said Helen.

“The UKOHCG meetings are always so exciting. As the agenda evolves very often new ideas, new links and new contacts are made; it’s One Health happening in real-time. The group is made up of passionate and motivated individuals who are representing large networks; for example, the National Trust, the British Medical Association and the British Dental Association are all members.’’

After graduating with a Pharmacology degree in 2002 and qualifying as an RVN in 2005, Helen went on to work as a locum nurse, working nationally and internationally gathering experience in referral medicine and surgery, charity practice, emergency nursing and exotics. She also spent five years on BVNA council, which culminated in her receiving honorary membership.

Helen currently works as a clinical nurse specialist for Living Kidney Donation where she supports living kidney donors through the process of donation and organises kidney transplant surgeries. As part of this role, she also manages the logistics of matching, retrieving and transplanting abdominal organs from deceased donors.

“Helen is an ideal candidate to take the chair of the UKOHCG, she is a fabulous advocate and inspiration for veterinary nurses and is an active member of the BVNA,” commented BVNA President, Jo Oakden. “One health is even more significant in the present climate; veterinary nurses are ideally placed to be actively involved in One Health, and with Helen at the helm more will be inspired to think about what can be achieved with One Health.”

Helen takes over the responsibility as chair from BVA's former president and vet, Simon Doherty.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.