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OSCE examinations to resume at Central Qualifications
"We are pleased to announce that we have been able to create a safe and secure examination centre in Suffolk" - Jacqui Garrett CQ director.
Organisation delighted to be offering OSCEs in the current climate

Awarding organisation Central Qualifications has announced that it is preparing to safely resume Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) for veterinary nurses from the middle of July.

Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, and like all veterinary nurse educators, CQ had to stop running examinations in March.

In a press release, the Organisation said that it has since ‘invested heavily’ in making its Suffolk examination centre ‘as COVID-19 secure as possible’ by carrying out a full risk assessment and changing the layout of its environment.

The Ofqual-approved body added that it has already been in touch with centres whose candidates had an OSCE cancelled in March, giving them first refusal on the first OSCE taking place in Mid-July.

“We are pleased to announce that we have been able to create a safe and secure environment at our examination centre in Suffolk which takes into account social distancing and the health and welfare of candidates, examiners and the quality assurance team,” commented CQ director, Jacqui Garrett.

“We have looked into the aspect of providing OSCEs in a secure way that minimises contact and ensures that social distancing advice is adhered to. We have refreshed our risk assessment for the OSCE in light of recent government advice, identifying protective measures and ensuring that all health and safety compliance checks are undertaken before the first OSCE session.”

She added: “We are delighted to be offering the first OSCEs in the current climate and to be giving our student veterinary nurses the chance to complete the final steps in their path towards qualification.”

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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.