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2021 RCVS Knowledge Awards winners announced
Dr Jessica Pennock (left) from CVS South Hub and Samantha Fontaine (right) both received RCVS Knowledge Champion Award.

Educators and practice teams recognised for dedication to improving quality of care.

RCVS Knowledge has published a list of the winners of this year's RCVS Knowledge Awards. All of the winners were praised by the charity for championing the use of quality improvement (QI) methodology in their areas of work.

Dr Jessica Pennock from CVS South Hub received an RCVS Knowledge Champion Award for her outcome audit which assessed the effectiveness of a warm air circulating blanket that the practice had recently purchased for anaesthetic procedures. According to RCVS Knowledge, the results demonstrate what can be achieved with an accessible audit that will have a positive impact on patient welfare.

Samantha Fontaine from the University of Glasgow was also awarded as a Knowledge Champion for implementation of a new course that teaches QI to veterinary nurses. RCVS Knowledge praised this new curriculum for providing national and international students with the confidence and skill to apply QI initiatives to their work.

Plymouth Veterinary Group (IVC Evidensia) and CVS Small Animal Team were jointly awarded Practice Champions for their separate ear cytology audits.

Plymouth Veterinary Group developed guidelines for performing cytology on patients presenting with ear pathology, while CVS Small Animal Team carried out a long-term audit on small animal ear cytology on a national scale.

The School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nottingham was also named a Champion Team for integrating QI and evidence-based veterinary medicine within its undergraduate and postgraduate curriculums.

RCVS Knowledge named nine applications as Highly Commended runners up. These are:

  • Arbury Road Vets
  • Charlotte Thomas
  • Chester Gates Veterinary Specialists
  • Equicall
  • Hannah Almond
  • Kathryn Wale
  • Regan Vet Group
  • Roundhouse Referrals
  • Samantha Morgan-Hourd.

In addition, Linnaeus post-registration education team, VetPartners Ltd and Kathrine Blackie from Linnaeus were also named as ‘Highly Commended – One to Watch.'

Executive director of RCVS Knowledge Chris Gush said: “We were very impressed with the number of high-quality applications received for the 2021 Knowledge Awards.”

“Every award winner demonstrated a dedication to advancing the quality of veterinary care and we look forward to watching them continue to develop quality improvement initiatives in practice. Congratulations to all of the winners.”

Case examples of all this year’s winning projects will be published on the RCVS Knowledge website in early May and the awards will be officially presented at RCVS Day later in the year.

Image (c) RCVS.

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Greyhound Board announces change to vaccination guidance

News Story 1
 The Greyhound Board of Great Britain has published new vaccination guidance, with all greyhounds registered from 1 January, 2027 required to have the L4 leptospirosis vaccination, rather than L2.

The change comes in response to the reduced availability of the 'L2' Leptospirosis vaccine across the UK, and aims to support best biosecurity practice across the racing greyhound population.

GBGB veterinary director Simon Gower, said "While rare, Leptospirosis is a serious infectious disease that can affect both dogs and humans, so it is vital that we offer our greyhounds the broadest possible protection.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Free webinar explores congenital heart disease in dogs

A free webinar is to provide veterinary professionals, dog breeders and pet owners an new insights into congenital heart disease.

Chris Linney, a cardiology specialist and Veterinary Cardiovascular Society (VSC) member, will present the webinar from 7.00pm to 8.30pm on Wednesday, 12 November.

Dr Linney will explore the types, causes and clinical presentation of congenital heart conditions. This will include diagnostic approaches, treatment pathways and emerging research opportunities.

The session is the third to be organised by The Kennel Club, with the VCS, following an introductory webinar and a talk on acquired heart disease. Dr Linney's webinar consists of a one-hour presentation, followed by a 30-minute question and answer session.

Dr Linney said: "This webinar will be an opportunity to deepen understanding - not just of the diseases themselves, but of how breeders, vets and owners can work together to support affected dogs and improve outcomes for future generations."

Click here to register for the webinar.