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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 25th January 2016
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What the microchipping law means for nurses
microchip
New microchipping rules are coming into force on 6 April, 2016.
BVNA issues statement clarifying the nurse's role

On 6 April, 2016, dog microchipping will become compulsory in England, Scotland and Wales. In advance of the new law, some changes have already been made to the rules on implanting. To help ensure nurses are up-to-speed, BVNA has issued a statement.

New government regulations came into force on 24 February, 2015. They state that no person may implant a microchip in a dog unless:
  • They are a veterinary surgeon, or, a veterinary nurse acting under the direction of a veterinary surgeon
  • They are a vet student or vet nursing student acting under the direction of a veterinary surgeon
  • They have successfully completed a training course approved by the secretary of state
  • They received training on implantation (including practical experience of implanting a microchip) prior to the date on which these regulations came into force
Should RVNs wish to microchip dogs independently (as a side business or for a voluntary organisation, for example), they must first be satisfactorily assessed on an approved training course, such as that provided by LANTRA or Vetskill.

The current veterinary nursing qualification and occupational standards do not go into the same depth of knowledge and understanding as the new qualification, therefore VN training alone is not considered sufficient under the new rules.

BVNA reminds RVNs that in order to be deemed competent by the RCVS code of conduct, they must be able to provide evidence of the microchip training they have attended, or they should update their skills.

It also stresses that RVNs are regulated and accountable professionals; any individual who does not feel competent should not undertake microchipping without further training.

For more information from the BVNA, visit: http://www.bvna.org.uk/advice/bvna-position-statements

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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
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."