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Maintaining the momentum
Helen Tottey RVN
Throughout the protect the VN title campaign, Helen actively promoted the petition via social media.

VN Council candidate shares her hopes for more unity in practice

Earlier this year the veterinary industry expressed its disappointment to Defra's announcement that it will not be introducing new legislation to protect the title of 'veterinary nurse'.

One of the most active supporters of the protect the title campaign was VN Council candidate, Helen Tottey.

Throughout the campaign, Helen actively promoted the petition via social media and managed to get an article in her local paper. The year before, she even managed to get BVNA Congress mentioned on BBC Radio 2 during the Chris Evans Breakfast Show - so it’s safe to say that she is not afraid to speak out for nurses.

“I got quite close to getting the VN story onto the One Show when I spoke to Gyles Brandreth at the Pet Plan Vet awards,” said Helen. “He emailed me to say he took the story to the editors but unfortunately nothing came of it – yet!”

To read our full interview with Helen, visit vetcommunity.com.

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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."