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VN educators urged to defer practical assessments
OSCEs are required for student vet nurses to complete their training.

Examinations deemed unsafe under the current conditions

The RCVS Veterinary Nurses Council is writing to veterinary nurse educators asking them to defer all forms of practical assessment for student veterinary nurses for at least three months.

The decision comes in response to the government's lockdown announcement to curb the spread of COVID-19. It also follows concerns raised by the VN Education Committee regarding the practical Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), required for student veterinary nurses to complete their training, and the fact that they would no longer be possible.

The RCVS is now in the process of informing all higher and further education institutions asking that they defer OSCE assessments for up to three months. The situation will be reviewed by the RCVS again in June.

“Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of stricter lockdown measures at the beginning of the week, it has become clear that holding practical examinations would be unsafe for student veterinary nurses and examiners, as well as not being possible under the conditions announced,” explained Julie Dugmore, RCVS director of veterinary nursing.

“This was not a decision we took lightly as OSCE assessments are embedded into all veterinary nursing licence to practise qualifications, meaning all student veterinary nurses need to pass them in order to join the Register. VN Council did look for alternatives means of delivering the assessment but, having considered a number of options, none was possible under the current circumstances and the health and welfare of the students and examiners are paramount."

Further to VN Council's decision on the OSCE's, it is also calling on further and higher education institutions to ensure students can continue to progress academically even during lockdown.

Julie continued: “To this end, it has requested that these institutions use secure systems to deliver any unseen assessments or defer these assessments until such time as they can be appropriately and safely delivered.”

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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...
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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.