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Vet nurse gets her adapted car
Jan with her car
Jan Collins who lost both her legs following life saving-surgery has finally recieved her specially adapted car.

Jan Collins lost both her legs to necrotizing fasciitis

A veterinary nurse who lost both her legs following life saving-surgery has finally received her specially adapted car, with the help of the fundraising efforts of colleagues at St Johns Veterinary Practice in Berkhamstead.

Practice vet Beverley Irving said: "Last week Jan purchased an estate car after she had, hopefully, her final surgery to remove the filter from her vena cava.

"She's had her assessment for driving and the car is being converted on Tuesday to hand controls."

Earlier this year, Jan Collins had to have both of her legs amputated after contracting a life-threatening infection following an operation.  The veterinary nurse developed necrotizing fasciitis - more commonly known as the 'flesh eating disease' which can often become a fatal condition resulting in multi-organ failure.

The government's scheme to help disabled people become mobile again with hand controlled adapted cars is only available up until the age of 65. Sadly, Jan celebrated her 66th birthday just before the initial operation so was not eligible for any government help.

Veterinary nursing had been Jan's life and it was a big incentive to get better again. So, to help Jan get back to doing what she loved most, her colleagues launched an online fundraising campaign and set about raffling dog food and other items within the practice.

 "With all of the generous donations we've managed to raise just under £7000 towards the 8500 needed for the car and £800 for the hand conversion," said Beverley.  

"I still feel that we should have had some help from the government. Jan has worked and paid taxes all her life, is a widow, and despite all she's struggling with at the moment is already back at work doing as much as she can."

The practice is still working to try to raise the final amount so that Jan doesn't have to put anything towards the car herself. To make a donation please visit https://pledgie.com/campaigns/29396 .

Image (C) Jan Collins/Beverley Irving

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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...
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RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."