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RCVS announces free menopause support resources
"In a predominantly female profession facing a workforce crisis, it’s vital we support team members in the workplace" - Dr Liz Barton MRCVS, WellVet co-founder.

The move aims to support individuals and veterinary teams.

A range of free menopause support resources have been announced through the RCVS Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) to improve the wellbeing of veterinary professionals.

The resources, available through the WellVet website, are aimed at people directly affected by the menopause, as well as those wishing to support others who might be impacted. 

Among them include bitesize video and audio clips covering a range of topics, including learning how to manage symptoms, and tips on how workplaces can better support their team members. 

“Not all women will experience problems commonly associated with menopause. But for those with severe symptoms, the debilitating effects can last for years, impacting their personal and professional lives,” explained MMI lead, Rapinder Newton.

“We are really proud to have supported Wellvet to provide these invaluable evidence-backed resources for veterinary professionals, so that we can all continue to learn and navigate menopause in an understanding and compassionate manner.”

Menopause, defined as the point in time one year after a woman has had her final menstrual cycle, has gained significant awareness in recent years - largely in part due to high-profile celebrity campaigns and broader public health initiatives.

However, the transition to menopause can also have a significant impact on an individual's mind and body. Perimenopause, typically lasting around a decade, often brings about physical and mental challenges, including mood swings, difficulty sleeping, anxiety and difficulty concentrating.

"We saw a significant shift in the way we think and talk about mental health and wellbeing through the 2010s,” explained Dr Liz Barton MRCVS, WellVet co-founder. “Now we need the same to happen with menopause. 

“In a predominantly female profession facing a workforce crisis, it’s vital we support team members in the workplace. The perimenopause years are the peak ages for women to die by suicide, and the most common perimenopause symptoms are psychological. We must do more to provide meaningful support.”

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BEVA gives RVNs right to vote

News Story 1
 The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is to allow its registered veterinary nurse (RVN) members the right to vote.

RVN members will now be able to take part in key decision-making processes and stand for BEVA council.

Marie Rippingale, chair of BEVA's Nurse Committee, said: "I am very proud to be a part of BEVA.

"This change will help to empower nurses to speak up and contribute, but more importantly, it will give them an opportunity to collaborate with other members of the equine veterinary profession to bring about change that is positive for all." 

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News Shorts
Farmer survey to reveal on-farm impact of bluetongue

A nationwide survey has been launched to better understand how the bluetongue virus is affecting UK farms.

Results will inform the support that farmers receive for bluetongue, as well as preparing the livestock industry for the future.

The short online survey is open to all livestock farmers, regardless of whether they've had a confirmed case of bluetongue on their farm. It asks how many animals have been affected, the severity of their clinical signs and how it has impacted farm business.

The survey takes five minutes to complete and is fully anonymous.

It is led by Fiona Lovatt, of Flock Health Limited, and the Ruminant Health & Welfare bluetongue working group, in collaboration with AHDB and the University of Nottingham.

Dr Lovatt says: "We need to find out what level of clinical signs farmers are seeing in their animals, whether they are experiencing mortality with BTV-3 cases, and what their appetite is to vaccinate in future for bluetongue serotype 3."

The survey can be found here.