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Vet receives first ever RCVS Queen's Medal
buckingham palace
The Queen's Medal is the highest award that can be received by a veterinary surgeon.
Award presented in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace

Her Majesty the Queen has presented a Belfast-based veterinary surgeon with the first ever RCVS Queen's Medal. It the highest award that can be received by a vet and recognises outstanding contributions to the profession.

Des Thompson OBE received his award in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace on October 8.

He said: "It was a complete honour and a wonderful experience to be received by Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace today, and I’m thrilled to have been awarded the RCVS Queen’s Medal.

"Her Majesty was interested to hear about Northern Ireland, and the fact that I’ve been practising there since I qualified."

The ceremony was also attended by RCVS president Stuart Reid, past president Colonel Neil Smith and RCVS registrar Gordon Hockey.

Mr Thompson received two separate nominations for the medal, both of which praised him for his work helping other members of the profession. In his work for the Young Vet Network in Northern Ireland and the Veterinary Benevolent Fund, he has particularly helped young vets embarking upon their careers.

The nominations also highlighted the decades Mr Thompson has spent actively involved in veterinary politics. He has been president of the RCVS, BSAVA, Society for Practising Veterinary Surgeons, Northern Ireland Veterinary Association and many other organisations.

The Queen's Medal was introduced last year with the approval of Her Majesty, who is patron of the RCVS.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.