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RVC appoints director of new general practice division
“It is essential for the veterinary sector that successful, sustainable general veterinary practices thrive” – Katharine Nelson.
Katharine Nelson is set to take up the role.

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has appointed veterinary surgeon Katharine Nelson as its first director of general practice.

She will lead the RVC’s new general practice division when she takes up the role later this year.

The division has been created to develop the RVC’s general practices through improved operational delivery, collaboration, and knowledge sharing between its general practice sites.

Dr Nelson will be joining from the RVC-owned Acorn House Veterinary Hospital in Bedford. A graduate of the University of Cambridge, she has worked at the practice for the past 21 years as practice principal. Earlier this year, she was made a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for services to clinical practice.

As director of general practice, her role will be to uphold high standards of care, teaching and research and raise the profile of general practice within the veterinary profession. She will also form part of the RVC’s clinical leadership team, which is responsible for the strategic direction, delivery and accountability of the general practices.

Dr Nelson said: “It is essential for the veterinary sector that successful, sustainable general veterinary practices thrive; that a career in general practice is valued and respected by the profession; and that the knowledge and experience of general practitioners is considered alongside that of veterinary specialists as the profession evolves.

“For these reasons, I am delighted to be taking up the role of director of general practice at the Royal Veterinary College.

“By leading the RVC’s general practice sites to pursue the highest standards of contextualised care, research and teaching, I am looking forward to shaping the student experience to produce a generation of veterinary surgeons ideally prepared to care for the patients and clients in the communities they serve.”

Amanda Boag, vice-principal for clinical services at the RVC, said: “I am delighted that Katharine Nelson will be joining the RVC in our new role of director of general practice.

“Katharine has spent her clinical career in general practice and brings with her a wealth of clinical and operational experience that will help us evolve our general practice sites and provide our students with the best possible experiential learning.”

Image © RVC

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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.