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BVNA and RCVS to offer joint sessions at online event
The online discussion sessions will cover key topics which affect the veterinary nursing profession.

Organisations work together to help bolster profession

The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) are collaborating to provide a variety of interactive sessions for the veterinary nursing profession at BVNA’s This is Us 2020 event.

The virtual event will run from 9 to 11 October, with the joint sessions taking place as part of the VN Futures project, which was established in 2016 by BVNA and RCVS to support the veterinary nursing profession and its future.

Details of the sessions are as follows:

  • Friday 9 October, 6.20pm: Nicola Ackerman will chair a discussion on the impact of COVID-19 on the veterinary nursing profession
  • Saturday 10 October, 2.05pm: Zoe Halfacree will discuss environmental sustainability in the profession. Asking delegates to discuss ideas and approaches for a greener practice
  • Saturday 10 October, 6:05pm: This session will focus on the value of the student/coach relationship and will be chaired by Samantha Morgan
  • Sunday 11 October, 1.10pm: Elizabeth Cox will chair a session about the impact of potential legislative change on the veterinary nursing profession
  • Sunday 11 October, 4.10pm: VN Futures project manager Jill Macdonald will host a session on role recognition and the value of veterinary nurses.

The event will also include three short presentations which highlight the achievements of VN Futures and potential ideas for the next phase of the project.

Josephine Oakden, BVNA junior vice-president and current chair of the VN Futures board says: “The VN Futures project has achieved many positive changes within the profession over the past four years.

“VN Futures is a two-way process, and we need engagement from the profession to achieve the most from the project. We are listening and wish to gather opinion and input on what veterinary nurses feel are the key challenges and opportunities in the profession and generate areas of focus for the next phase of VN Futures.”

BVNA member can sign up to This is Us 2020 for free through the Webinar Vet.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.