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RCVS Council asked to back down over post-nominals
The Operational Board has recommended the council review its decision.
Operational board asks council to review its decision after outcry from the profession

RCVS Council will be asked to review its decision to remove certain post-nominals from the register of veterinary surgeons.

The decision prompted an outpouring of criticism from vets in the press, on social media and an online petition forum.

After a meeting yesterday (April 24), the RCVS Operational Board has recommended the council rethink its decision.

More than 1,200 people have signed a petition calling for the RCVS to overturn its decision and the college has been accused of being "out of touch" with its members.

The Operational Board says that while it feels the reasoning behind council's decision was "sound", other methods could now be used to tackle the issues it aims to address.

Council will be asked to review its decision at its meeting on June 5.

The volume of criticism from vets has prompted some to question how a situation has arisen where a council decision is so at odds with the views of the profession.

It also raises the question of how decisions are made at the college and how this could be improved to better represent the profession.

Meanwhile, RCVS Council election voting closes today (April 25). In recent weeks a number of candidates have commented on under-representation of certain sections of the profession on council - for example new graduates, women and vets in practice.

It could be argued that this latest example of a disconnect between council and the profession underlines this further.

Similarly, some have questioned whether the college is accepting enough of those who challenge its views. This has been fuelled by the recent resignation of long-term councillor Bob Partridge due to "personal reasons".

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.