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Vet nurse awarded 2021 Louise O’Dwyer Scholarship
Jennifer Busby RVN has been named as the recipient of the 2021 Louise O'Dwyer Vet Nurse Scholarship.
Jennifer Busby has been granted a free place on Improve International’s Nurse Certificate ECC programme.

The 2021 recipient of the Louise O’Dwyer Vet Nurse Scholarship, organised by vet CPD provider Improve International, has been announced as Jennifer Busby RVN.

Jennifer, an anaesthesia nurse at Dick White Referrals in Newmarket, has been awarded a free place on Improve International's Nurse certificate in Emergency and Critical Care (Ncert ECC) programme.

Louise O’Dwyer was a world-renowned and highly respected ECC veterinary nurse who sadly died in 2019. Louise lectured on Improve Internationals’ Ncert ECC programme, but also its other nursing courses and congresses across the globe. 

Commenting on her achievement, Jennifer Busby said: “I am thrilled and shocked to have been selected as the winner of the Louise O'Dwyer legacy scholarship.

“Louise has been a massive inspiration and role model to me throughout my career. When I started veterinary nursing, a lecture of hers was one of the first I attended and I felt empowered through her passion and knowledge to further my own career in a similar way. 

She continued: “I have been lucky enough to be able to follow my interests in veterinary nursing anaesthesia but have always had a passion for ECC. Receiving this scholarship will enable me to further my interest and training in this field. I want to thank her family, together with Improve International, for this amazing opportunity.”

Dr Charlotte French, head of curriculum and quality and UK country manager for Improve International, said: “We wanted to do something special to remember Louise O’Dwyer, who was such a talented and well-respected speaker on this course and within the profession. 

“This annual scholarship in her name enables a veterinary nurse, technician or paraprofessional the opportunity of a sponsored place on our NCert ECC Programme. We would like to thank Louise’s family for assisting us in selecting someone whom they feel she would have considered would truly benefit from this postgraduate training and qualification.”

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.