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BVA approves Hughes Education Report
Veterinary Science scholarships plan to include those from low-income backgrounds


Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Simon Hughes has released an access to education report recommending courses such as veterinary science should get additional support to help gain a diverse range of applicants.    

Hughes made around 30 specific recommendations on how to get more students from deprived backgrounds to apply for University.  He stressed the importance of 'widening access' for longer courses so students did not feel deterred from entering professions such as veterinary practice.  

Most significantly, Hughes is pushing for scholarships to be awarded to bright students from predominantly low-income backgrounds.  Consequently, this reassures students they have financial support when taking on such a long period of study and training, which veterinary science requires.  

The BVA warmly welcomed such proposals, as they have previously voiced their anxieties over high tuition fees creating less prospective veterinary students. Locke emphasised how potential veterinary students are guaranteed one of the most expensive degree courses, and that the BVA and Government should indeed work together so students from all backgrounds are not discouraged from entering the profession.  

Although Locke expressed his approval for Hughes' suggested 'additional support' in attracting the brightest students from all backgrounds, he did reveal that:

"We know that some veterinary schools already have programmes aimed at attracting students from poorer backgrounds into the profession and we would hope to see this rolled out across all of the UK’s seven veterinary schools."

Despite the drastically high rise in tuition fees, (with veterinary courses ranging from the astronomical £7,500 to £9,000,) it seems there is hope for future veterinary students from underprivileged backgrounds.  If ability and not financial background are truly considered in the distribution of these scholarships, the BVA's previous concerns over a prospective decline in veterinary training can be put to rest.  

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."