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RCVS and VN Council candidate nominations now open
The elections will take place in March and April 2022.
Both elections will be held completely online. 

The candidate nomination period has now opened for election to RCVS and VN Councils for 2022, and will close on Monday 31 January at 5pm.

Both elections will be held entirely online, following the success of the previous year's online format, with both nominations and votes to be submitted electronically.

RCVS registrar and returning officer for the elections, Eleanor Ferguson, commented on the continuation of the online format: “Last year demonstrated that we are able to successfully hold our elections online, making the process more efficient and convenient for our members.

“Once again, for prospective RCVS and VN Councils election candidates, this will mean that, rather than having to send us hard copies of your nomination documents in the post, the forms can simply be emailed to the College along with the relevant digital photographs and electronic signatures.”

Full eligibility criteria for RCVS Council, alongside further information, guidance notes and frequently asked questions can be read here, and all equivalent similar details for VN Council can be read here.

Prospective RCVS and VN Council members can contact Dr Kate Richards on president@rcvs.org.uk for an informal discussion on what it means to be an RVCS Council member, or Matthew Rendle, VN Council chair, on vncchair@rcvs.org.uk for a discussion on VN Council membership.

Kate said of the RCVS Council: “I’m on Council for my second term and can reassure any prospective candidates that it is a wonderful experience, both personally and professionally.

“You will learn new things not only about the College, but also the professions, policy and government; you will have fascinating discussions and debates with colleagues on issues of great importance and consequence.”

“I would be happy to talk to anyone who might be interested in joining VN Council about its role and how you could contribute both to it, and to the wider profession,” Matthew added.

“This 60th anniversary year for the veterinary nursing profession has been a time to take stock about how far the profession has come and where it is going.

“One thing I have appreciated is the important role both VN Council and its committees will continue to have in this development process, by making key decisions on areas such as student training and wellbeing, continuing professional development, post-registration qualifications and statuses, and registration of veterinary nurses.”

There will be one RCVS Council meeting prior to the nomination period deadline, on Thursday 20 January 2022, and any candidates interested in attending virtually as observers should contact Dawn Wiggins on d.wiggins@rcvs.org.uk

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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.