Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 22nd December 2023
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

MPs hear about need to protect veterinary nurse title
BVNA president Lyndsay Hughes with BVNA junior vice-president Craig Tessyman and Patricia Gibson MP.
BVNA and RCVS co-host drop-in session at Westminster.

The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) have co-hosted a drop-in session for MPs to discuss the need to legally protect the ‘veterinary nurse’ title.

The event at Portcullis House, Westminster, on 13 December saw MPs from across the House of Commons hear about the need to update the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 so that only qualified and regulated individuals can call themselves veterinary nurses.

According to the BVNA’s ‘Protect the Title’ survey, 76 per cent of the public did not know that the title can be used by anyone, despite 92 per cent feeling that it was important that their pet was cared for by a qualified and regulated veterinary nurse.

Sponsored by Neil Hudson MP, the only veterinary surgeon in the House of Commons, the event was attended by BVNA president Lyndsay Hughes, BVNA junior vice-president Craig Tessyman, RCVS president Sue Paterson, and chair of RCVS VN Council Belinda Andrews-Jones.

Ms Hughes said: “BVNA were delighted to host this engagement session in Parliament alongside the RCVS – especially so because the veterinary nursing profession was its clear focus.

“Having the opportunity to hold a specific event for our profession to engage directly with parliamentarians represents a significant shift towards greater recognition of veterinary nurses, and their impact on both animal and human health. Our voices are being heard.”

Dr Hudson said: “Veterinary nurses play a vital role in promoting animal health and welfare. Therefore it is imperative we take concrete steps to protect their title and uphold the standards of the profession.

“Thank you to the BVNA and the RCVS for helping bring this issue to the attention to my parliamentary colleagues from all sides of the political spectrum.”

Image © BVNA

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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."