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A voice for vets finding their feet in practice
Hannah Jordan
"Looking at a problem from a range of perspectives is a good starting point from which to work towards a consensus."
Election candidate Hannah Jordan shares her hopes for the RCVS council

Hannah Jordan, one of 11 candidates in this year's RCVS Council elections, says she hopes to offer a voice to "young, generalist vets who are still very much finding their feet in practice".

Having graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, Hannah is currently working in Professor the Lord Trees' office as parliamentary veterinary intern.

Should she be elected to the council, one of her key hopes is to increase acceptance of mental health issues as well as uptake of support services.

"It would be marvellous if the RCVS could stand up for, or support veterinary rights (working hours etc) in some way, similar to the equivalent French organisation," she told MRCVSonline.

"The work that has been done so far on the Mind Matters initiative is a great step toward helping those that suffer from mental health issues and stress, and improving their acceptance among the public and the veterinary profession."

In addition to this, Hannah said she would like to improve input and involvement in the RCVS among members of the profession.

"The more communication, consultation and input there is from the profession, the greater the chance the RCVS has of getting things right," she said, adding that trust between members of the profession and the college could be improved with greater transparency around the retention fee income and RCVS spending, as well as "a clear distinction between the regulatory function of the college and the Royal College of learned professionals element."

Commenting on how the college can avoid coming under fire from the profession in future, Hannah said: "Whilst every decision is never going to please everybody, especially as the profession diversifies (the debate about the use of the courtesy title 'Dr' emphasises this), I think that communication, consultation and scenario planning is likely to aid better decision making…

"Looking at a problem from a range of perspectives is a good starting point from which to work towards a consensus."

To read our full interview with Hannah, see vetcommunity.com.

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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.