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VN award changed to boost nominations
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There are plans to allow each year's winner to give a speech at BVNA Congress.
Golden Jubilee award clarified and amended
 
Changes will be made to the VN Golden Jubilee award in a bid to boost the number of nominations.

At a meeting of the VN Council in Telford last week, it was revealed that there are generally just three or four nominations each year.

As well as a general lack of nominations, some of those submitted are not meeting the criteria - perhaps due to confusion with other awards, such as the Blue Cross Veterinary Nurse of the Year or CEVA Animal Welfare Awards.

In 2013, the panel decided none of the nominations fit the criteria.

Going forward, the award will be restricted so that only veterinary nurses may win and the criteria will be clarified. The award seeks nurses who have made an 'exceptional' contribution to the profession in terms of leadership, outreach, awareness-raising and ambassadorship.

The nominations period will also change, bringing it into line with the Queen's Medal award for veterinary surgeons.

Additionally, there are plans to allow each year's winner to give a speech at BVNA Congress.

VN Council vice chair Kathy Kissick expressed some concern over this, however: "I would be very twitchy about giving someone free rein to say what they like," she commented. It was suggested award winners will receive help in putting together a professional presentation.

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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
RCVS members invited to question Council candidates

RCVS members have been invited to submit questions to candidates for this year's RCVS Council election.

With 15 candidates standing for three available positions, vets have been invited to submit a question of their choosing before voting starts. These questions will be collated, with each candidate answering one question of their choice.

It is recommended that members read the candidates' biographies and statements before submitting questions. One question per member can be submitted to vetvote26@rcvs.org.uk before Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The RCVS Council election is due to start in March.

With only two candidates for two positions on the VN Council, there will be no VN Council elections this year. Meghan Conroy RVN and Lauren Hargrave RVN will begin their three year terms at RCVS' AGM in July.