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Guidance launched on supporting religious vet nurses
The guidance can be downloaded from the BVNA website.

VN Futures DIWP has published advice for practices and training providers.

A new free-to-access guidebook on how veterinary practices and training providers can support veterinary nurses who hold religious beliefs has been launched by the VN Futures Diversity, Inclusivity and Widening Participation Working Group (DIWP).

The guidebook provides advice on how to support veterinary nurses whose religious beliefs require them to wear particular clothes, avoid certain substances, or fit their work pattern around religious observance.

The advice builds on guidance created for veterinary students by the RCVS Diversity and Inclusion Working Group and the Veterinary Schools Council Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Student Support Working Group.

The digital booklet, ‘A Guide for Training Providers and Practices: Religious Clothing and Beliefs’, can be downloaded online.

A collaboration between the British Veterinary Nursing Association and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the VN Futures initiative aims to promote veterinary nursing as a career and support the existing workforce.

Alex Taylor, BVNA senior vice-president and chair of DIWP, said: “The VN Futures DIWP is proud to have been involved with putting together this guidance document.

“Not only will it provide reliable and useful advice about religious clothing and beliefs for educators, trainers and employers of veterinary nurses, but it will also help demonstrate that the veterinary nursing profession is open to people from all backgrounds, and everyone is valued in a supportive workplace environment.”
 
Jill Macdonald, VN Futures project lead, added: “The aim of the VN Futures DIWP is to actively address diversity and inclusivity, specifically within the veterinary nursing profession, and consider the support needed by those from diverse backgrounds who are already working within the profession.

“The publication of our religious clothing document is a massive step forward in helping to make sure that everybody not only feels included as valuable members of the veterinary team, but inherently respected for who they are as individuals.”

 

Image (C) Shutterstock

 

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New guidelines published for wildlife disease surveillance

News Story 1
 A set of international guidelines for disease surveillance in wildlife has been updated for the first time since 2015.

Released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the World Organisation for Animal Health, General Guidelines for Surveillance of Diseases, Pathogens and Toxic Agents in Free-ranging Wildlife is designed to help wildlife authorities and others working with wildlife carry out effective surveillance programmes.

The document, which cover areas including choosing appropriate strategies, safety and biosafety protocols, and ethical and legal considerations, can be read here.  

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News Shorts
Restricted zone extended after more bluetongue cases

After three new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 were detected along the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire border, the restricted zone has been extended.

The zone now includes Buckinghamshire and part of Berkshire, as well as Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Greater London, part of Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, part of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, part of Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, Surrey, and West Sussex.

Susceptible animals in the restricted zone should only be moved if it is essential. A specific licence is needed to move a susceptible animal from within the restricted zone to outside of the zone.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. In Northern Ireland, suspected cases should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the areas where restrictions apply can be found here.