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Nominations open for Blue Cross 'Vet Nurse of the Year'
The award will be presented virtually during BVNA's 'This is Us' event.
Award recognises RVNs who have gone 'above and beyond' the call of duty.

Nominations are now open for the Blue Cross 'Veterinary Nurse of the Year' award which pays recognition to the UK's veterinary nurses and the invaluable support they provide to their teams, clients and pets.

The award is bestowed to a veterinary nurse who not only cares for sick and injured pets but has also gone the extra mile to improve pet welfare in their community. It will be presented virtually to the winner during the BVNA's 'This is Us' event on Saturday 10 October.

Last year's award was won by deputy head nurse Danielle Pountain from Pool House Veterinary Hospital in Lichfield. Danielle commented: “I was overwhelmed to receive the call that I had been selected as the Blue Cross Vet Nurse of the Year.

“It felt like an unbelievable honour to have been considered worthy for an award for doing a job I love to do and I felt like being recognised for my achievements and contribution to veterinary nurses, validated all of my hard work, enthusiasm and dedication. I am grateful to everyone for giving me such a great title and award.”

Anyone can make a nomination for veterinary nurse of the year, including pet owners and veterinary practices. David Catlow, Blue Cross director of veterinary clinical services, said:

“With vet practices across the UK having had to rethink how we deliver our services as a result of COVID, delivering only emergency and essential services for the duration of lockdown, it has been a particularly challenging year for the whole industry. Many vet nurses working in veterinary practice have demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment going ‘above and beyond’ in these extraordinary times.”

The nomination form can be found the Blue Cross website at bluecross.org.uk/BVNA2020. Nominations close on Friday, 18 September 2020.

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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
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.