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Veterinary practices urged to complete COVID-19 survey
The survey will help the RCVS shape the College's ongoing response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Survey will shape the RCVS' ongoing response to the crisis

Veterinary practices are being urged to complete an RCVS survey 'as soon as they can' to help the College gauge the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak on clinical practice.
 
The survey, which has been emailed to veterinary practice representatives across the UK, will also help the RCVS shape the College’s ongoing response to the crisis, including its discussions with the government.
 
It includes questions on how and whether the pandemic has affected the practice's approach to providing 24/7 emergency care, how the pandemic has affected turnover; and whether staff have been furloughed.
 
The RCVS is asking that just one person in each practice who is best placed to answer the questions completes the survey. The data collected will be anonymous, although the results of the survey will be shared with the government and other veterinary organisations and will also be published.
 
“We have received a great deal of anecdotal evidence via emails, contacts and social media on how the COVID-19 pandemic, and the restrictions put in place by the UK Government in response to it, is affecting veterinary businesses and professionals” explains RCVS CEO, Lizzie Lockett.
 
“However, in order to have the evidence-base to take a well-informed view of how it is impacting the profession, we would urge representatives from practices across the UK to complete this survey as soon as they can. It is crucial that we have this information to help further RCVS policy decisions and ongoing conversations with government, where appropriate.”
 
She continued: “We recognise that this is an extremely difficult time for everyone and completing a survey may not be at the top of your list of priorities. However, those who do complete the survey will be making a vital contribution to helping us shape the most effective response to the unprecedented challenges we face. Reflecting this, we anticipate re-running the survey to track the situation on the ground over the coming weeks and months.”
 
As the data must reflect a specific point in time, the deadline for completing the survey is 6 pm on Tuesday 7 April. If any UK veterinary practice believes they have not received the survey via email, please contact Anthony Roberts on a.roberts@rcvs.org.uk for checks to be made.

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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."