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.
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

RCVS and RVNs should "work together"
Elizabeth Cox
I personally want to get RVN's more engaged with VN Council.

Elizabeth Cox calls for RVNs to be more engaged with VN Council

"I admire leaders that inspire others and take people with them on a journey," says Elizabeth Cox, who is standing for re-election to VN Council this year.  "I'm a firm believer in teams."

Elizabeth, who is currently employed as a senior nurse at Golden Valley Veterinary Hospital near Bristol, has been involved in the profession for the past 20 years. She is currently Vice Chairman of the VN Council, having joined in 2011.

If re-elected to VN council, Elizabeth hopes to further raise the profile of the veterinary nursing profession, ensuring that the work and word of the nurse is included throughout the College's work.

"The legal protection of the title veterinary nurse is the major focus," she said. "I personally want to get RVN's more engaged with VN Council and understand what we do. We need to all work together to get the public understanding our role and raise our profile."

Elizabeth hopes to do this by improving communication between the RCVS and the profession.

"The RCVS are no longer an awarding body, therefore nurses do not associate us with the exam process. Already, we have noticed more RVNs approaching us at events, this really pleases me."

"To start with, i'd like RVNs to do this more! Come and talk to us at the various congresses and events across the country. I recently hosted a regional question time nursing stream. We had lots of questions and we ran out of time! However, the college does use social media and direct emails. I do feel that two-way communication is an area we can work on."

To read our full interview with Elizabeth, visit www.vetcommunity.com. Log in or sign up for a free account to discuss the elections in the VetCommunity chatter zone

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

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.