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Vet professionals invited to mental health training
The course will be held on 7-8 March 2024.
Two-day course to be held in Nottingham.

The Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) will host a two-day mental health first aid training course for veterinary professionals in Nottingham in March.

Providing a qualification in Mental Health First Aid, the in-person course will look at how to identify signs of poor mental health in others, how to direct people to appropriate support, and how to confidently begin conversations about mental health.

The training, provided in collaboration with Mental Health First Aid England, will take place at Antenna, Nottingham on Thursday, 7 March 2024 and Friday, 8 March 2024. It will cost £80 per person.

Any member of the veterinary profession can attend, including veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, practice managers, receptionists, and students.

The MMI was set up by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2015 to improve mental health and wellbeing in the veterinary sector by providing training and resources.

Angharad Belcher, Advancement of the Professions and MMI director, said: “Having worked with Mental Health First Aid England in the past to provide these valuable training courses, we are really pleased to see the network of veterinary Mental Health First Aiders continue to grow, particularly in more rural areas where access to mental health support is often more difficult to come by.

“The aim is to create a ripple effect, whereby Mental Health First Aiders within the veterinary community can then support others to feel confident in speaking out about how they feel and to reach out for appropriate support if required.”

Places on the course can be booked on the MMI website.

Image © Shutterstock

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VMD invites students to apply for EMS placement

News Story 1
 The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.

Students in their clinical years of study have until 28 February to apply for the placement, which takes place at the VMD's offices in Addlestone, Surrey, from 6-10 July 2026.

Through a mixture of lectures and workshops, the placement will explore how veterinary medicines are authorised, non-clinical career opportunities, and other important aspects of the VMD's work.  

Click here for more...
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RCVS members invited to question Council candidates

RCVS members have been invited to submit questions to candidates for this year's RCVS Council election.

With 15 candidates standing for three available positions, vets have been invited to submit a question of their choosing before voting starts. These questions will be collated, with each candidate answering one question of their choice.

It is recommended that members read the candidates' biographies and statements before submitting questions. One question per member can be submitted to vetvote26@rcvs.org.uk before Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The RCVS Council election is due to start in March.

With only two candidates for two positions on the VN Council, there will be no VN Council elections this year. Meghan Conroy RVN and Lauren Hargrave RVN will begin their three year terms at RCVS' AGM in July.