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RCVS to extend Mind Matters Initiative
Mind Matters will continue to donate £100k per year to mental health support charity VetLife.
Funding will allow project to build on previous success 

The RCVS has announced that it is to extend its Mind Matters initiative on a rolling three-year basis and that it will increase funding to £250k per year.

In a press release, the College said the investment will allow the project to continue to address and improve mental health and wellbeing within the veterinary profession.

Plans to extend the initiative were put forward by Professor Stuart Reid, chair of Mind Matters, at a meeting of RCVS Council on Thursday (27 September). The project was initially given three years of funding at £200k per year, but Council unanimously voted in favour of the proposal to switch to a rolling three-year agreement.

The RCVS said that Mind Matters will continue to donate £100k per year to mental health support charity VetLife. The remaining £150k will be spent on other initiatives, such as providing research, training and a culture-change programme.

Commenting on the extension, Professor Stuart Reid said: “I’m both delighted and immensely grateful that Council has demonstrated their support for Mind Matters unanimously and so generously. Their commitment to our mission will allow us to take the initiative to the next level and, importantly, continue to assess the impact of our work.”

Mind Matters runs joint mental health awareness courses in tandem with the BSAVA, mental health for managers courses with the Veterinary Management Group and the Joint Wellbeing Awards with the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons. In January 2017, Mind Matters launched the “&me” de-stigmatising campaign with the Doctors Support Network at the House of Commons.

Since its launch in 2015, Mind Matters has run 45 mental health awareness courses, spoken at more than 50 external conferences and events and hosted many other conferences and activities. It said that during this period there has been a 500 per cent increase in calls to the Vetlife, demonstrating a reduction in the stigma about seeking help.

An RCVS spokesperson said: ‘This further funding will ensure the Mind Matters Initiative can continue to build on its success, highlighting the importance of individual well-being and seeking to ‘prevent, protect and support’ all members of the veterinary team.’

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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.