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Vets Express Gratitude for Work of Vet Nurses
Noel Fitzpatrick
BVNA Congress draws attention to crucial work of veterinary nurses. 

The annual congress of the British Veterinary Nursing Association draws to its conclusion today, after three days of quality CPD, workshops, exhibitions and socials.

Yesterday saw a wide range of events including the BVNA award ceremony, which was opened by Noel Fitzpatrick, the “bionic vet.” In an engaging address to the delegates, he made a heartfelt declaration of gratitude to the role of the veterinary nurse in the care of animals, the support of veterinary surgeons and the running of the practice.

He drew attention to the “hundreds” of jobs vet nurses perform in the surgery which he, as the surgeon, “cannot do” and stressed that without nurses, vets would be incapable of working.

Similarly, Carl Padgett, President of the British Veterinary Association visited Congress on Saturday and expressed his admiration for the BVNA.

He commented: “BVNA have matured into a serious representative body and BVA are proud to support them.”

Congress has been running since Friday 7th October and the last lectures will end this afternoon, Sunday 9th October.

The Kettering Conference Centre in Northamptonshire has been host to hundreds of delegates from all over the UK attending the 38th annual BVNA Congress.

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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...
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."