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BVA issues advice amid introduction of contact tracing programmes
"Continue working in fixed pairs or small teams as much as possible," BVA president Daniella Sos Santos.

Vets urged to continue working in small teams.

Veterinary professionals are being urged to continue working in small teams and to support neighbouring practices amid the introduction of COVID-19 contact tracing programmes.

The advice from the BVA comes as the UK launches contact tracing programmes to move from blanket lockdown restrictions to a more targetted approach.

Although different for each nation, each programme asks those who test positive for COVID-19 to identify people they have been in recent contact with. Those people will then be contacted and asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

'Relevant contact' is defined as spending over 15 minutes within two meters of another person or being in face-to-face contact (less than one meter) with them. As long as they meet the eligibility conditions, employees in self-isolation are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay for each day they are in isolation.

BVA president Daniella Dos Santos said the programmes could have a significant impact on the provision of veterinary services and has called on teams to continue working in small groups 'as much as possible' to reduce the risk of transmission.

“The next step in the Covid-19 response is shifting to a more targeted approach, but it’s clear that this could have a very significant impact on individual veterinary practices if a member of the team tests positive,” she said.
“The nature of veterinary work means we are in close contact with our colleagues in order to work safely with animals.

“Many veterinary teams will be understandably anxious about the impact on their ability to staff a full rota to maintain 24/7 care. And there are significant concerns about the impact on animal health and welfare if practices are unable to provide veterinary services.

“Our advice is to continue working in fixed pairs or small teams as much as possible to reduce your contact with different individuals and continue to practise good hygiene and biosecurity."

She conitnued: “We continue to ask neighbouring practices to work together to support those impacted by self-isolation and ensure full geographical cover for veterinary services. We recognise some veterinary professionals will be worried, but we urge everyone to comply with the contact tracing programmes.” 

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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."