Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

CPD to help vets deal with suspected abuse cases
Three sessions have been organised across the UK in 2019.

Sessions offer advice on establishing a practice protocol

A new CPD course for veterinary professionals has been launched to provide advice on coping with cases of suspected animal abuse.

Organised by the BSAVA and the Links Group, the Links Veterinary Training Initiative comes in response to increasing research showing a link between violence to animals and violence towards humans.

“Suspecting animal abuse can be an alarming and sensitive issue to confront but our training courses should give veterinary teams the skills and support they need to help deal with such cases,” said Jennie Bartholomew, education coordinator at the BSAVA.

Each session offers advice on establishing a practice protocol and selecting a Safeguarding Liaison Officer (SLO), who will assist practice staff in suspected abuse cases. Through the SLO, relationships can be formed with RSPCA officers, police domestic abuse officers and aid agencies, giving staff support to call on if they suspect something might not be right.
 
Past BSAVA president and course lecturer Freda Scott-Park said: “There are few veterinary practices that do not encounter animal abuse, not daily, but the incidence is increasing. Cases can be quite complicated to diagnose but often vets find they develop a sixth sense that something isn’t right. 

“By defining the complexities and difficulties in diagnosis, the course aids vets, veterinary nurses and receptionists to understand how to proceed – to ask the right questions and how to seek help from the correct people. Information from the veterinary practices may allow human healthcare professionals to investigate troubled households, offering support to the family and potentially improving or saving a human victim’s life.”

Three sessions have been organised across the UK in 2019. They are free for BSAVA members and cost £40.00 for non-members.

  • Wetherby Racecourse, Yorkshire - Sunday, 12th June
  • Woodrow House, Gloucester - Monday, 16 September
  • Jesus College, Cambridge - Sunday, 27 October


For more information and to book your place visit www.bsava.com/cpd/Links-Group-CPD
 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Defra to host bluetongue webinar for vets

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will be hosting a webinar for veterinary professional on bluetongue on Thursday, 25 April 2024.

Topics covered will include the transmission cycle, pathology and pathogenesis, clinical signs (including signs seen in recent BTV-3 cases in the Netherlands), and control and prevention.

The session, which will take place from 6pm to 7.30pm, is part of Defra's 'Plan, Prevent and Protect' webinar series, which are hosted by policy officials, epidemiologists and veterinary professionals from Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency. The bluetongue session will also feature insights from experts from The Pirbright Institute.

Those attending will have the opportunity to ask questions. Places on the webinar can be booked online.