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RCVS Council elects new junior vice-president
Dr Niall Connell has been elected junior vice-president for 2018-19.

Dr Niall Connell will take up his new role in July 

RCVS Council members have elected Dr Niall Connell as junior vice-president for 2018-19 and confirmed Amanda Boag as president for the same year.

Niall was elected at a meeting of the RCVS Council on Thursday (8 March) where a number of other appointments were also confirmed. These include Amanda as president, professor Stephen May as senior vice-president, Dr Kit Sturgess as treasurer, Professor Susan Dawson as chair of education committee and Dr Kate Richards as chair of standards committee.

After qualifying from the University of Glasgow’s School of Veterinary Medicine in 1982, Niall began his career working in mixed practice in Fife. In 1984 he joined Glasgow East PDSA PetHospital as a senior veterinary surgeon where he remained for 15 years.

Whilst at the PDSA, Niall became an honorary lecturer and examiner at Glasgow vet school. He retired from clinical practice in 2009 after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and now works as a clinical & professional skills Instructor at Glasgow vet school.

In asking for votes from RCVS Council members, Niall said: “I am passionate about highlighting RCVS’ work, achievements and ethos in person and on several social media platforms to maximise engagement with our professions and with undergraduates. I have an excellent relationship with RCVS staff which is very important. I relish the prospect of working with my fellow Council members, College staff and our professional colleagues in the field for the best outcomes.
 
“The College is immersed in many important projects such as Vet/VN Futures, Mind Matters, graduate outcomes, career pathways and One Health, as well as Brexit, global positioning and the Veterinary Surgeons Act. I would devote all my time and energy to being RCVS Vice-President/President.”

Niall, Amanda and the other team members will take up their new roles at RCVS Day in July.

Image (C) RCVS

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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
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.