Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 1st October 2015
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Vet nurse gets her adapted car
Jan with her car
Jan Collins who lost both her legs following life saving-surgery has finally recieved her specially adapted car.

Jan Collins lost both her legs to necrotizing fasciitis

A veterinary nurse who lost both her legs following life saving-surgery has finally received her specially adapted car, with the help of the fundraising efforts of colleagues at St Johns Veterinary Practice in Berkhamstead.

Practice vet Beverley Irving said: "Last week Jan purchased an estate car after she had, hopefully, her final surgery to remove the filter from her vena cava.

"She's had her assessment for driving and the car is being converted on Tuesday to hand controls."

Earlier this year, Jan Collins had to have both of her legs amputated after contracting a life-threatening infection following an operation.  The veterinary nurse developed necrotizing fasciitis - more commonly known as the 'flesh eating disease' which can often become a fatal condition resulting in multi-organ failure.

The government's scheme to help disabled people become mobile again with hand controlled adapted cars is only available up until the age of 65. Sadly, Jan celebrated her 66th birthday just before the initial operation so was not eligible for any government help.

Veterinary nursing had been Jan's life and it was a big incentive to get better again. So, to help Jan get back to doing what she loved most, her colleagues launched an online fundraising campaign and set about raffling dog food and other items within the practice.

 "With all of the generous donations we've managed to raise just under £7000 towards the 8500 needed for the car and £800 for the hand conversion," said Beverley.  

"I still feel that we should have had some help from the government. Jan has worked and paid taxes all her life, is a widow, and despite all she's struggling with at the moment is already back at work doing as much as she can."

The practice is still working to try to raise the final amount so that Jan doesn't have to put anything towards the car herself. To make a donation please visit https://pledgie.com/campaigns/29396 .

Image (C) Jan Collins/Beverley Irving

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.