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RCVS Council elects new junior vice-president
Tim Parkin will take up the role in July.
New office holder says “change cannot come soon enough”.

Tim Parkin, head of the University of Bristol Veterinary School and a professor of veterinary epidemiology, has been elected as the new junior vice-president of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

He was elected during the March meeting of RCVS Council, held at the Royal College of Nursing in London.

During the same meeting, the previous junior vice-president, Linda Belton, was appointed RCVS president for 2024-25. Sue Paterson will serve as senior vice-president. All three will take up their new positions at the College’s Annual General Meeting on 5 July 2024.

Prof Parkin holds degrees from the University of Bristol in Zoology and Veterinary Science, and has completed a PHD at the University of Liverpool on the epidemiology of fractures in racehorses.

Before working at the University of Bristol, he worked at the Animal Health Trust and the University of Glasgow. Since 2021, he has been a Veterinary Schools Council-appointed member of RCVS Council.

Prof Parkin said: “I would like to humbly thank my colleagues on RCVS Council for electing me to this role, it is a great honour.

“As a passionate advocate for veterinary education, one of my driving goals is ensuring that in 20 years’ time we will have veterinary professions that are more fit for purpose, working with a more recent Veterinary Surgeons Act and a make-up that is significantly more diverse and reflective of the society we serve.

“The discussions we’ve had at Council have reinforced in me the importance of change, and that change cannot come soon enough. Legislative reform which is clearly more required and hopefully closer than ever before; developing new, fulfilling career pathways to help with colleague retention and workforce shortages; and expanding and enhancing the ‘Team Vet’ ethos are areas I am looking forward to contributing to over the next three years.

“As the saying goes - the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, but the second best time is today.”

Image © RCVS

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.