Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 14th November 2023
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Vets gather to honour Des Thompson
“There are not enough words to really explain how much Des has given to vets, nurses, students, owners, and pets throughout his career” – Alison Speakman.
Event in Belfast celebrates former BSAVA president.

Veterinary associations in Northern Ireland came together on Tuesday, 7 November to mark 40 years since Des Thompson OBE was president of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) and celebrate his contribution to the veterinary profession.

More than 50 delegates attended the event in Belfast, alongside Mr Thompson, his wife Rosalie, and two of his daughters.

The day included CPD from speaker Ed Hall and speeches from the organisations attending the meeting, including the BSAVA, the Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in Northern Ireland, the British Veterinary Association Northern Ireland, and the Young Vet Network in Northern Ireland.

In addition to serving as BSAVA president, Mr Thompson has also served as president of other major veterinary organisations including the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the Northern Ireland Veterinary Association, and as chairman of the Ulster Branch of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

In 1991, he was awarded an OBE for his contributions to the veterinary profession and in 2014 he was the first person to receive the RCVS Queen’s Medal.

Although he retired as a veterinary surgeon in 2009, he remains an active member of the veterinary community in Northern Ireland.

Alison Speakman, BSAVA senior vice-president, said: “There are not enough words to really explain how much Des has given to vets, nurses, students, owners, and pets throughout his career.

“He is one of the kindest, most supportive, humble, and true gentlemen you will ever meet, and it is an honour to celebrate his outstanding achievements with him and his wife Rosalie.”

Image © BSAVA

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

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."