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BVNA and RCVS to offer joint sessions at online event
The online discussion sessions will cover key topics which affect the veterinary nursing profession.

Organisations work together to help bolster profession

The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) are collaborating to provide a variety of interactive sessions for the veterinary nursing profession at BVNA’s This is Us 2020 event.

The virtual event will run from 9 to 11 October, with the joint sessions taking place as part of the VN Futures project, which was established in 2016 by BVNA and RCVS to support the veterinary nursing profession and its future.

Details of the sessions are as follows:

  • Friday 9 October, 6.20pm: Nicola Ackerman will chair a discussion on the impact of COVID-19 on the veterinary nursing profession
  • Saturday 10 October, 2.05pm: Zoe Halfacree will discuss environmental sustainability in the profession. Asking delegates to discuss ideas and approaches for a greener practice
  • Saturday 10 October, 6:05pm: This session will focus on the value of the student/coach relationship and will be chaired by Samantha Morgan
  • Sunday 11 October, 1.10pm: Elizabeth Cox will chair a session about the impact of potential legislative change on the veterinary nursing profession
  • Sunday 11 October, 4.10pm: VN Futures project manager Jill Macdonald will host a session on role recognition and the value of veterinary nurses.

The event will also include three short presentations which highlight the achievements of VN Futures and potential ideas for the next phase of the project.

Josephine Oakden, BVNA junior vice-president and current chair of the VN Futures board says: “The VN Futures project has achieved many positive changes within the profession over the past four years.

“VN Futures is a two-way process, and we need engagement from the profession to achieve the most from the project. We are listening and wish to gather opinion and input on what veterinary nurses feel are the key challenges and opportunities in the profession and generate areas of focus for the next phase of VN Futures.”

BVNA member can sign up to This is Us 2020 for free through the Webinar Vet.

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.