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OnSwitch urges vets to donate unwanted laptops to support home learning
"Your old laptop could make a world of difference to someone's future opportunities." - Alison Lambert, OnSwitch.

Devices will help millions of children struggling at home

Veterinary business consultancy OnSwitch has joined the countrywide appeal for donations of unwanted laptops and tablets, to help the millions of children learning from home in the UK right now.

Many children are currently using smartphones to access their schoolwork. These devices, while useful, are largely unsuitable for completing all the tasks required as part of the remote learning provision being provided by teachers.

A large number of children are also having to share devices with siblings or even other adults living in their household who are working from home. This limits the amount of time a pupil can dedicate to their learning.

Onswitch’s founder Alison Lambert said: "Like a lot of businesses, at Onswitch HQ we have a cupboard where unwanted technology is stored ‘just in case’ – too good to throw away, but no longer needed.

“Looking through it recently, we found 20 laptops, tablets and PCs that we’re not using now that our team are all working from home.

“We’ve given them to our local parish council to distribute to households in need of practical home schooling support, and I’d urge all my colleagues across the veterinary sector to check whether their practices can do the same. Your old laptop could make the world of difference to someone’s future opportunities."

The BBC has created a list of national and local organisations coordinating donations of devices here.

Some charities will be able to collect, wipe and distribute the devices themselves, while others are collecting monetary donations to go towards buying devices for pupils.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.