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: 11th October 2015
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

Inspirational speech from BVNA's new president
Fiona Andrew, Sam Morgan and Kirstie Sherman
(from left) Outgoing president Fiona Andrew, new president Sam Morgan and past president Kirstie Sherman.
Sam Morgan: "Know that what you have to say is important"

"Honoured is the first word I would use to describe this moment," said BVNA's new president, Sam Morgan, as she made her opening speech at congress this morning.

"That is quickly followed by some apprehension. Apprehension as I am treading in the footsteps of some amazing past presidents."

Seventeen years ago, when she attended her first BVNA Congress, she knew she wanted to be president.

Addressing members at today's AGM, she said: "I wanted to be, hopefully, an inspiration to others. I wanted to voice what I believed in and to play a small part in the future of the organisation and the veterinary nursing profession."

Sam's presidential theme is 'engagement' and, throughout her speech, she stressed the importance of BVNA's members: "We gain strength from our members. The more members we have, the louder our voice".

Over the next year, she hopes to encourage members to reach out to their organisation.

"I would like nothing more than for RVNs, students and support staff to know that BVNA is here to represent you," she said.

"To not be afraid to make your thoughts and feelings for the future of the profession heard. To know that what you have to say is important, even if you don't believe it is."

She urged members to speak to the BVNA, to get involved in consultations relating to the profession and to vote in BVNA Council and VN Council elections.

She closed her speech by making a number of presidential promises:
  • To serve BVNA members to the best of her ability
  • To speak up, as a voice of the veterinary nursing profession
  • To listen and be a voice for others' views, not just her own
  • To be a good team leader
  • To develop the BVNA
  • To try to inspire just one person to face a challenge and seek their reward

During her time with the BVNA so far, she said she has learnt: "the definition of success is to live your life with integrity, to not give in to peer pressure, to live with honesty and compassion and to contribute in many ways, no matter how big or small."

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

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
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."