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Pirbright to support national Track and Trace programme
The Pirbright Insitute will provide diagnostic training to staff joining the new BSPS Lighthouse Laboratory.
Scientists will play a key role in diagnostics training at the BSPS Lighthouse Laboratory.

The Pirbright Institute has announced it is to support the national NHS Test and Trace Programme by providing induction and training for staff joining the new Lighthouse Laboratory in Bracknell.

Operated by NHS Berkshire and Surrey Pathology Services (BSPS), the Lighthouse Laboratory is being established to test COVID-19 samples as part of the UK's efforts to tackle the coronavirus. 

To support the service, scientists at The Pirbright Institute will play a key role in diagnostics training, teaching newly-recruited staff how to use the state-of-the-art diagnostics equipment located at its Surrey campus. The induction programme will include sample management and bio-safety followed by a period of training in scientific diagnostic procedures. 

“We are extremely proud to offer our diagnostic expertise for training the Lighthouse Laboratory's new staff to the highest possible standard,” commented Pirbright's director, Professor Bryan Charleston. “The accommodation of the new training programme at Pirbright has happened at record speed, requiring our staff to adapt rapidly to ensure both the equipment and training protocols are ready to receive the first recruits for training.”

The Pirbright Institute is home to several Reference Laboratories in highly infectious viral livestock diseases, including African swine fever (ASF) and foot-and-mouth-disease (FMD). The Institute also has significant expertise in surveillance and diagnostics, particularly concerning disease outbreaks. 

The Institute will provide ongoing training to the Lighthouse Laboratory during 2021. It will also be offering up a number of its experienced scientists in secondment to the new facility to assist with high throughput diagnostics.

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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."