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Candidate calls for minimum standard of out-of-hours cover
James Main
"I think practices should be obliged to inform clients of their out of hours arrangements and capabilities."
James Main believes service is being used to cut corners and costs

"Competition is a good thing, but not at the client and patient's expense," says RCVS Council candidate, James Main.

Speaking to MRCVS, James said: "The playing field needs to be kept level and I feel that the contentious issue of out-of-hours cover is an area which is being used to cut corners and costs in overall service to our patients.

"Telling a client in an emergency to drive 30 miles with their pet after relieving them of £40 for a booster vaccination at our convenience in the morning, doesn't always leave a good impression.

"I think practices should be obliged to inform clients of their out of hours arrangements and capabilities, and that a minimum standard should be set by the College."

James Main, an equine veterinary consultant from Oxfordshire, has had first-hand experience of the RCVS disciplinary procedure. If elected to Council, he hopes to represent the practitioner and improve communication and understanding.

"The College needs to act with more compassion, especially in their disciplinary procedures, and possibly think about a bigger range of punishments for first offences especially when animals well-being has not been involved."

James also believes that the College should also have a stronger voice or stance when it comes to difficult issues such as non-stun slaughter or the badger cull, "even if it is only to suggest a way forward so that the right decisions are reached," he said.

If elected to Council, James also hopes to use his veterinary colleagues in practice as his soundboard. "In my opinion, it is a strength to listen to friends and family, and a weakness not to.

"People say that as veterinary surgeons we are lucky that we only need to examine our patients and they can't talk back as compared to a doctor with his patient. However, I have always preached that listening to the animal's owner is vital as they spend 24 hours a day with their pet (our patient) so can give us vital clues."

To read our full interview with James, visit www.vetcommunity.com. Log in or sign up for a free account to read more on the elections and discuss.  

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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.