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New website showcases work of VN Futures project
VN Futures aims to identify and find solutions to specific issues facing the veterinary nursing profession.
Resource highlights breadth of career options open to veterinary nurses.
 
To mark the end of Veterinary Nursing Awareness Month (VNAM), the RCVS and the BVNA has launched a new website to showcase the work of the VN Futures project.

Launched in 2016, the joint RCVS and BVNA VN Futures project aims to identify and find solutions to some of the specific issues facing the veterinary nursing profession.

The new website has been designed to highlight how the project has, and will, meet the five key streams of activity as outlined in the 2016 VN Futures Report. These are: creating a sustainable workforce; structured and rewarding career paths; confident, resilient, healthy and well-supported workforce; proactive role in One Health; and, maximising nurses’ potential.

It also includes information on activities such as the development of the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing qualification, the School Ambassadors Project and several case studies that demonstrate the wide variety of careers open to veterinary nurses.

“Since its launch in 2016, the VN Futures project has been doing a great deal of work to meet its aims and so enhance and bolster the veterinary nursing profession. It is fantastic that, with the new website, all its work and major projects are featured in the same place, with its own distinct identity,” said Racheal Marshall, chair of the VN Futures board.

“While much of the work of the project has been going on behind the scenes, there have been some distinct achievements for us to celebrate, not least the Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Nursing, which paves the way for Advanced Veterinary Nurse status, and the work that’s been undertaken to clarify Schedule 3 and help veterinary professionals navigate how it works in practice.”

BVNA president Jo Hinde added: “We are very glad that we were able to launch this website just as another wonderful VN Awareness Month comes to a close as it really does highlight the breadth, depth and diversity of options open to veterinary nurses. I hope that those who visit the website can draw their own inspiration from the case studies in terms of their career paths and how they might want to develop and enhance their role as a veterinary nurse.

“We also hope that those reading the website might be inspired to get involved – whether that’s through writing a blog with their views on a topical issue, having their career profiled for one of our case studies, or registering an interest in one of the Working Groups that are working to deliver on the VN Futures Action Plan.”

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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.