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: 22nd September 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

Guidance launched on supporting religious vet nurses
The guidance can be downloaded from the BVNA website.

VN Futures DIWP has published advice for practices and training providers.

A new free-to-access guidebook on how veterinary practices and training providers can support veterinary nurses who hold religious beliefs has been launched by the VN Futures Diversity, Inclusivity and Widening Participation Working Group (DIWP).

The guidebook provides advice on how to support veterinary nurses whose religious beliefs require them to wear particular clothes, avoid certain substances, or fit their work pattern around religious observance.

The advice builds on guidance created for veterinary students by the RCVS Diversity and Inclusion Working Group and the Veterinary Schools Council Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Student Support Working Group.

The digital booklet, ‘A Guide for Training Providers and Practices: Religious Clothing and Beliefs’, can be downloaded online.

A collaboration between the British Veterinary Nursing Association and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the VN Futures initiative aims to promote veterinary nursing as a career and support the existing workforce.

Alex Taylor, BVNA senior vice-president and chair of DIWP, said: “The VN Futures DIWP is proud to have been involved with putting together this guidance document.

“Not only will it provide reliable and useful advice about religious clothing and beliefs for educators, trainers and employers of veterinary nurses, but it will also help demonstrate that the veterinary nursing profession is open to people from all backgrounds, and everyone is valued in a supportive workplace environment.”
 
Jill Macdonald, VN Futures project lead, added: “The aim of the VN Futures DIWP is to actively address diversity and inclusivity, specifically within the veterinary nursing profession, and consider the support needed by those from diverse backgrounds who are already working within the profession.

“The publication of our religious clothing document is a massive step forward in helping to make sure that everybody not only feels included as valuable members of the veterinary team, but inherently respected for who they are as individuals.”

 

Image (C) Shutterstock

 

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

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.