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New chair appointed for RCVS Ethics Review Panel
The ERP offers an ethics review mechanism for researchers based in practice.
Prof Nicola Menzies-Gow will head the research review process.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has appointed Professor Nicola Menzies-Gow as the new chair of its Ethics Review Panel (ERP).

The ERP, first trialled in 2016, offers an ethics review mechanism for researchers that are based in practice, and therefore do not get this process through university or industry connections.

The subcommittee has been led by Prof David Morton CBE since the trial period was first launched. In this time, the ERP has reviewed more than 530 research proposals.

It will now be chaired by Prof Nicola Menzies-Gow FRCVS, professor in equine medicine at the Royal Veterinary College.

Prof Menzies-Gow has been a member of RCVS ERP for the past three years. She has also had the role of chair of the Clinical Research Ethical Review Board at the Royal Veterinary College.

In this role, Prof Menzies-Gow will lead the panel as it provides ethics reviews for researchers that are working in veterinary practice as they submit clinical veterinary research project applications.

Prof Morton, the outgoing chair, said: “I have been privileged to be a member of the Ethics Review Panel and to be its chair, and have learned much from my fellow reviewers. They certainly have made my job easier.

“I have always tried to ensure that the ERP maintains the highest standards whilst not disheartening the applicants by its reviews.”

The newly appointed chair, Prof Menzies-Gow, said: “I am honoured to be offered this position.”

She added: “It is vitally important that all research, regardless of where it is undertaken, undergoes ethical review to ensure that robust results are produced especially when they have the potential to influence clinical practice, and so I really welcome the work the ERP has been undertaking.

“As chair of the ERP I hope to build on the success of my predecessor and continue to support those working in clinical practice that is not associated with a university to undertake valuable research and add to the body of evidence that supports our clinical decision-making.”

Image © RCVS

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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...
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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."