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Hayley Walters presented with award at RCVS Day
hayley walters and kathy kissick
Hayley Walters receives the VN Golden Jubilee Award from VN Council chair Kathy Kissick.

Eventful day sees new council member welcomed and new charter approved

During a busy RCVS Day in London last week, members of the college voted unanimously to approve a draft Royal Charter that recognises the college as a regulator of veterinary nurses.

Commenting on the effect this will have on the profession, incoming RCVS president Professor Stuart Reid said: “Words like 'historic' should be used only sparingly, but on this occasion it is justified.

“We now have some 12,000 veterinary nurses on the books, nine-tenths of them being registered veterinary nurses. Yet the present charter does not so much as mention their existence.

“The new charter gives the RCVS a formal duty to keep the register of veterinary nurses and makes the Veterinary Nurses Council responsible for setting standards for their training, education and conduct.”

The move will effectively combine the list and register of veterinary nurses. Nurses who currently remain on the list will join those on the register, meaning they will be required to complete an average of 15 hours CPD each year, follow the code of professional conduct and will be subject to RCVS disciplinary procedures.

The proposed charter is expected to become effective from March 2015.

Amber Richards will be a new face on the VN Council after she officially took up her seat at the event in London on July 11.

Kathy Kissick was confirmed as the council's chair for a further year, joined by Liz Cox and Niall Connell as vice-chairs. It was confirmed that outgoing RCVS president Neil Smith will also be joining the VN Council.

During an awards ceremony on the same day, Hayley Walters was officially presented with the VN Golden Jubilee Award, which celebrates her exceptional contribution to her profession.

Hayley is an anaesthesia and welfare veterinary nurse at the University of Edinburgh Hospital for Small Animals and the Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education.

Col. Smith commented: “Hayley is a veterinary nurse who is dedicated to improving animal welfare and veterinary care both in the UK and abroad, and has demonstrated exceptional contributions to the profession.”

Some 16 veterinary nurses were also presented with Diplomas in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (DipAVN).

Image courtesy of RCVS

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Webinar to explore history of KC breed registers

News Story 1
 A free webinar exploring the development of the Kennel Club's registration system and the evolution of closed breed registers has been announced.

Hosted by Dr Alison Skipper, veterinary and research advisor at the Kennel Club, the webinar will delve into the development of the registry and how the changing landscape of scientific knowledge has shaped breeding practices. It will also look at what this means for the future of pedigree dogs.

The session will culminate with a look at The Kennel Club's ongoing and future engagement in this area, with a chance for attendees to put forward their thoughts and questions for discussion.

This event takes place on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 10 June at 7pm. To learn more, visit events.teams.microsoft.com  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.