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PDSA marks one million remote appointments
PDSA currently provides over 2,000 remote consultations every single day.
The charity has provided a landmark number of vital appointments throughout the pandemic. 

PSDA has announced that it has provided people in need with over one million remote veterinary consultations since March 2020.

The charity introduced a remote appointment system after the impact of lockdown left several veterinary practices offering only essential and emergency services, with the aim to provide vital services while restrictions remained in place. 

Steve Howard, head of clinical services at PDSA, commented on the milestone: “Within just two weeks, the proportion of remote consultations compared to face-to-face went from around 15 percent to an astonishing 80 percent. 

“We have now delivered an astounding one million remote consultations since March 2020, giving us the space and time needed to keep our clients and staff safe while continuing to provide almost 300,000 face-to-face consultations for pets in the most urgent need of emergency, life-saving care.”

The charity, which offers veterinary consultation and treatment to those without the financial ability to see a vet, also thanks the RCVS for its remote prescribing ability, which it created to help practices continue their vital work throughout the pandemic. PSDA calls the ability to remotely prescribe as 'critical' to their work over lockdown. 

Now that the charity has hit this significant milestone in remote appointments, it doesn't plan on stopping the initiative soon. Steve added: “The benefits of remote consultations extend beyond the pandemic, removing barriers owners may face when accessing veterinary care, whether that be transport difficulties or patient stress in the practice. 

“We anticipate remote consultations will continue to be an important part of our work in the future, giving more opportunities for flexible ways to work, whilst also helping us to make our charitable service as accessible as possible to eligible clients and ensuring we can continue to deliver our vital veterinary services to those that need us most.”

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.