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RVC opens new transfusion centre
Christianne Glossop opened the new facilities.
The facility will help meet demand for blood products.

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has opened a Transfusion Medicine Centre at its Hawkshead Campus in North Mymms, Hertfordshire.

The centre was officially opened in a special ceremony by Christianne Glossop, chair of the RVC’s charity the Animal Care Trust. The charity gave £90,000 to the project.

The new facilities will help the RVC meet the increasing demand for blood products. The centre has separate areas for canine and feline donors and an on-site laboratory to process and store blood products.

Since the RVC launched its Blood Donor Programme in 2004, the number of regular donors has increased from 19 dogs to 150 dogs and 62 cats. In 2023, the programme facilitated a total of 711 transfusions.

Dan Chan, professor of emergency and critical care medicine at RVC, said: “Working in the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, I’ve seen first-hand how blood donations help pets every single day and the ground-breaking clinical treatment and expert care that is provided at the hospital.

“Thanks to our special donors, blood transfusions have saved thousands of lives at the RVC over the last two decades.”

“The new Transfusion Medicine Centre is essential in allowing us to expand and enhance our current facilities to ensure even more cats and dogs can be treated. We are grateful to everyone for their contributions that have helped us to achieve this important goal.”

Image © Royal Veterinary College

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Prof Joanne Webster elected as Fellow of the Royal Society

News Story 1
 Joanne Webster, a professor of parasitic diseases at the RVC, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).

An infectious disease expert, Prof Webster is known for promoting a One Health approach to disease control.

She completed her doctoral research in zoonotic disease and parasite-host interactions, and has since earned widespread recognition for contributions to parasitology and global health.

Prof Webster said: "I am truly honoured, and somewhat stunned, to be recognised alongside such an exceptional group of scientists." 

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News Shorts
Germany FMD import restrictions eased

The UK government has lifted the import restrictions placed on FMD-susceptible commodities from Germany.

The decision comes after the country was recognised as foot-and-mouth disease free without vaccination on 14 May.

Imports of FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products from Germany were originally banned, after the country reported a case of FMD near Brandenburg in January. In March, the UK government permitted imports from outside of the outbreak zone.

Germany will now be able to import FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products into the UK, providing they meet other import conditions.

The decision follows rigorous technical assessment of measures in Germany. Defra says it will not hesitate respond to FMD outbreaks.