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In pictures: the UK's new vet school
The £45m school received a royal welcome
 
Queen tours Surrey vet school
The UK's eighth veterinary school was opened by Her Majesty the Queen (photo © University of Surrey).

 
The UK's new veterinary school got off to a royal start last week, after it was officially opened in Surrey by Her Majesty the Queen. It is only the second vet school to open in the UK since 1965 and hopes to drive world-leading 'one health' research.

A special opening ceremony saw Her Majesty tour the school's state-of-the-art facilities, meeting staff, students and one of its founding partners, Professor Noel Fitzpatrick.


Students wait for the Queen
Students awaiting the Queen's arrival.


Surrey vet school
Surrey's new state-of-the-art vet school is the result of five years of "vision, enthusiasm and determination from many talented individuals," said its executive dean, Lisa Roberts.


Noel Fitzpatrick
Noel Fitzpatrick, one of the school's founding partners, said: "

This is our legacy, and we are intensely proud to be part of this evolution in health education."


Noel changes a foot pad
Noel changed a foot pad on Scruffy the dog, so he was ready for the Queen's arrival.


Second year students
Second year students practising clinical skills.


The Queen unveiled a plaque
Her Majesty was invited to unveil a plaque to mark the occasion.


War Horse
Joey – star of the theatre production War Horse – reared up on his hind legs as the Queen's limousine departed (photo © University of Surrey).
 

 

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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
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."