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Revised NOS Standards for VN
Following an extensive review of the jobs, skills and activities required by veterinary nurses, Lantra Sector Skills Council have announced that newly revised National Occupational Standards are now approved and ready to use.

Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries, lead the UK wide project, which produced a revised list of skills needed for student and registered veterinary nurses to be able to do their job in a consistent and competent way. The National Occupational Standards (NOS) review gave veterinary nurses, employers and organisations the opportunity to ensure their ways of working were accurately reflected.
 
Lisa Jarvis, Industry Partnership Manager for veterinary nursing at Lantra and a RVN herself, said: “The veterinary nursing profession has had substantial changes since the last review in 2005 so this project was definitely needed. Not only do the revised NOS identify the detailed knowledge, understanding, ability and experiences somebody needs to carry out their job effectively but they also reflect the increased level of responsibility and accountability that comes with registration and new animal welfare legislation.”
 
Many veterinary nurses, employers and industry representatives from across the UK supported this extensive review. Now Lantra is calling on everyone involved in the industry to view and use the Standards. A free copy of the revised NOS is available from the Lantra website.
 
Lisa concluded: “NOS are an important tool for any business, small or large, as they help identify skills gaps and find the most relevant training and learning. NOS gives valuable information to help develop training and recruitment plans, as well as job descriptions. By making use of the Standards in this way, veterinary nursing skills and key processes can be enhanced.”
 

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.