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Academic honoured for service to animal medicines training
Carwyn Ellis received the SQP Award for "outstanding contribution" to animal medicines training.
Carwyn Ellis awarded the SQP Award for Outstanding Contribution.

A former academic leader at Harper Adams University has been honoured for his "outstanding contribution" to animal medicines training.

Carwyn Ellis scooped the SQP Award for Outstanding Contribution in recognition of his service to the Animal Medicines Training and Regulatory Authority (AMTRA).  

The previous head of animal welfare, production and veterinary science retired from his post last year but continues to visit Harper Adams as a lecturer.  

AMTRA chair Phil Sketchley said: “It gives me great pleasure to present the award this year for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry...[Carwyn] has made many years contribution and service to the AMTRA council as an observer, and has undoubtedly been pivotal in making the SQP and RAMA sector work and has had the respect from all involved in this sector and indeed the government bodies that control us.

“With over 30 years of contributions to the sector, Carwyn helped train the very first candidates in 1985/86 to gain their Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) status and has importantly since then helped manage the transition to a prescription-only based model in 2005 after the launch of the then-new VMR."

Phil continued: “He’s made a major influence and contribution to our sector and brought about the introduction of an approved CPD programme and also brought in the modular system of examinations which supported the introductions of the companion animal qualification, the vet nurse qualification and more recently moving us to level 5 for farm RAMAs.”

The SQP Award for Outstanding Contribution recognises individuals within the animal health sector who, during a sustained career, have made a significant contribution to the industry. Recipients of the award have also been an inspirational figure to others by demonstrating best practice and professional development.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.