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CQ Graduation celebrates next generation of vet nurses
Graduates were presented with their scrolls by conservation campaigner Cat Capon.
Graduates received their ceremonial scrolls from Cat Capon.

Central Qualifications (CQ) has celebrated the success of its students with its annual Graduation and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, 31 May 2025.

Held in Westminster’s Central Hall, the ceremony saw newly-graduated veterinary nurses celebrate their graduation with an audience of friends and family.

The graduates were presented with their ceremonial scrolls by ecoadventurer and naturalist Catherine ‘Cat’ Capon. Cat, a conservation campaigner, also delivered a keynote speech to the graduates, in which she congratulated them on their successes and discussed the importance of advocating for animal welfare.

The ceremony honored the recipients of CQ’s Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, marking the beginning of their careers as qualified veterinary nurses. The graduates will now be equipped with the nursing knowledge and practical skills needed to begin their careers in the veterinary nursing sector.

Jacqui Garrett, CQ director, said: “It is so rewarding to see a new cohort of veterinary nurses receive their Diplomas at the CQ Graduation and Awards Ceremony.

“This event recognises all of their hard work studying and practising their veterinary nursing skills. I am sure they will have excellent careers and make a difference to the lives of so many animals.”

The ceremony also saw CQ announce the winner of its 2025 VN Educator of the Year. The award recognised Plumpton College lecturer Matt Badham, whose students nominated him for his 'passionate' and 'inspiring' teaching style.

Mr Badham said: “It was always my goal to be a supportive educator for my students and so to realise that many of them must have taken time to write about me for their nominations is honestly very moving."

CQ was recently awarded with full accreditation from RCVS to provide it Level 3 Diploma in Small Animal Veterinary Nursing and Level 3 Diploma in Equine Nursing for the next five years.

The awarding organisation was recognised for his External Quality Assurance Processes, as well as its commitment to continuously improving its OSCE assessment practices. RCVS also noted CQ’s innovative approach of utilising multiple clinical supervisors simultaneously.

CQ says that its new qualifications will enable it to have a more integrated approach to the delivery and assessment of veterinary nursing knowledge.

Image © Central Qualifications

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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
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.