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Veterinary lecturer awarded OBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours
Dr Ellen Brooks Pollock OBE.

Dr Ellen Brooks Pollock developed a mathematical model that informed the easing of lockdown.

A Bristol Veterinary School lecturer has been awarded an OBE for her services to the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (SPI-M) and SAGE during COVID-19. 

Dr Ellen Brooks Pollock, a senior lecturer in veterinary public health, has been a regular contributor to SPI-M - a subgroup of SAGE that advises the government on scientific matters.

During the pandemic, Dr Brooks Pollock developed a mathematical model used by government officials to plan the easing of lockdown. This included the partial re-opening of schools in June 2020, the full re-opening of schools in September 2020 and the vaccination rollout. 

She is currently involved in quantifying the role of groups and gatherings on COVID-19 transmission and showing that single-person households can safely form a bubble with other households. 

Commenting on her achievement, Dr Brooks Pollock said: “I am one of many modellers and scientists supporting the COVID-19 response in the UK and worldwide. I have been studying infectious diseases for 15 years and COVID-19 has tested our knowledge of epidemics and how to control them.

“It’s been a privilege and a unique experience to work with fantastic scientists from all over the UK - mostly without leaving home. I am delighted to receive this award and plan to continue to disease modelling for many years to come.”

Veterinary surgeons Marc Abraham and Professor James Wood were also named in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Marc Abraham received an OBE for his services to animal welfare, while Professor Wood received an OBE for services to veterinary science.

Image (C) University of Bristol.

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FIVP launches CMA remedies survey

News Story 1
 FIVP has shared a survey, inviting those working in independent practice to share their views on the CMA's proposed remedies.

The Impact Assessment will help inform the group's response to the CMA, as it prepares to submit further evidence to the Inquiry Group. FIVP will also be attending a hearing in November.

Data will be anonymised and used solely for FIVP's response to the CMA. The survey will close on Friday, 31 October 2025. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
CMA to host webinar exploring provisional decisions

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to host a webinar for veterinary professionals to explain the details of its provisional decisions, released on 15 October 2025.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, 29 October 2025 from 1.00pm to 2.00pm.

Officials will discuss the changes which those in practice may need to make if the provisional remedies go ahead. They will also share what happens next with the investigation.

The CMA will be answering questions from the main parties of the investigation, as well as other questions submitted ahead of the webinar.

Attendees can register here before Wednesday, 29 October at 11am. Questions must be submitted before 10am on 27 October.

A recording of the webinar will be accessible after the event.