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New 'Think Tank' series for vet nurses announced
The new series of veterinary nurse Think Tank events kicks off on 21 July.
Sessions include 'everyday leadership' and 'innovation and problem solving'.

A new series of veterinary nurse 'Think Tank' events has been announced, focusing on areas such as leadership, innovation and the importance of a just culture.

A collaboration between the RCVS Mind Matters Initiative and skills provider, VetLed, the ongoing series aims to tackle incivility in the workplace and facilitate working environments that prioritise wellbeing. 

To date, the collaboration has included six fully-funded civility training sessions, a free psychophysical safety workshop and the first of four veterinary nurse Think Tanks. The new sessions, sponsored by the RCVS MMI, will focus on the following:
  • Everyday leadership – Thursday 21 July 2022
  • Innovation and problem solving - Thursday 20 October 2022 
  • When things go wrong: The importance of a just culture – Thursday 19 January 2023.
Mind Matters Manager, Lisa Quigley, said: “It’s fantastic to be working with VetLed and the BVNA to run these think tanks. Maintaining a positive working culture is essential both for the wellbeing of the practice team, but also for the wellbeing of the animals in their care.

“Veterinary nurses carry out vital work and are an essential part of the practice team. It’s therefore of utmost importance that they feel empowered and safe to have their voices heard, and supported to drive sustainable, positive change.”

Helen Silver-MacMahon, research and development director at VetLed, said: “The next Think Tank will focus on everyday leadership, where we will be exploring some of the potential challenges facing aspiring and current veterinary nurse leaders, and the ways in which these challenges can be approached. The session is interactive, so we actively encourage people to share their experiences, to allow us all to learn from and support each other.”

The Think Tanks were launched in 2021 to offer veterinary nurses a safe space in which to explore veterinary 'human factors' – an established discipline drawing on scientific knowledge about the human body, mind and behaviour to understand human capabilities and limitations. 

A 2021 survey of student veterinary nurses, graduates and clinical coaches, conducted by MMI, found that 96 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that bullying and incivility was a serious problem in the profession. 

These findings we backed by a recent VetLed poll of veterinary reams, which reveals 97 per cent had been on the receiving end of incivility in practice.

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Webinar to explore history of KC breed registers

News Story 1
 A free webinar exploring the development of the Kennel Club's registration system and the evolution of closed breed registers has been announced.

Hosted by Dr Alison Skipper, veterinary and research advisor at the Kennel Club, the webinar will delve into the development of the registry and how the changing landscape of scientific knowledge has shaped breeding practices. It will also look at what this means for the future of pedigree dogs.

The session will culminate with a look at The Kennel Club's ongoing and future engagement in this area, with a chance for attendees to put forward their thoughts and questions for discussion.

This event takes place on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 10 June at 7pm. To learn more, visit events.teams.microsoft.com  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.