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OSCE examinations to resume at Central Qualifications
"We are pleased to announce that we have been able to create a safe and secure examination centre in Suffolk" - Jacqui Garrett CQ director.
Organisation delighted to be offering OSCEs in the current climate

Awarding organisation Central Qualifications has announced that it is preparing to safely resume Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) for veterinary nurses from the middle of July.

Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, and like all veterinary nurse educators, CQ had to stop running examinations in March.

In a press release, the Organisation said that it has since ‘invested heavily’ in making its Suffolk examination centre ‘as COVID-19 secure as possible’ by carrying out a full risk assessment and changing the layout of its environment.

The Ofqual-approved body added that it has already been in touch with centres whose candidates had an OSCE cancelled in March, giving them first refusal on the first OSCE taking place in Mid-July.

“We are pleased to announce that we have been able to create a safe and secure environment at our examination centre in Suffolk which takes into account social distancing and the health and welfare of candidates, examiners and the quality assurance team,” commented CQ director, Jacqui Garrett.

“We have looked into the aspect of providing OSCEs in a secure way that minimises contact and ensures that social distancing advice is adhered to. We have refreshed our risk assessment for the OSCE in light of recent government advice, identifying protective measures and ensuring that all health and safety compliance checks are undertaken before the first OSCE session.”

She added: “We are delighted to be offering the first OSCEs in the current climate and to be giving our student veterinary nurses the chance to complete the final steps in their path towards qualification.”

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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
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.