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RCVS and VN Councils elections results revealed
The successful candidates will take up their seats at the RCVS AGM in July.
Both elections saw falling turnouts this year.

The results of the 2022 RCVS and VN Councils elections have been revealed.

This year, Dr Susan Paterson MRCVS, Olivia Cook MRCVS, and Dr Abbie Calow MRCVS have been elected to the three available places on RCVS Council, with Holly Witchell RVN and Jessica Louise Beckett RVN taking up their seats on VN Council.

Both elections saw falling turnouts this year, despite the elections being conducted entirely online. 

A total of 6,583 veterinary surgeons cast their votes in the RCVS elections, representing 18.6 per cent of those eligible to vote. This compares to turnouts of 24.5 per cent in 2021 and 26.2 per cent in 2020.

For the VN elections, the total turnout was 1,740 veterinary nurses, representing just 8.4 per cent of those eligible to vote. This compares to turnouts of 12.4 per cent in 2021, 17.1 per cent in 2020.

Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS registrar and returning officer for both elections, commented: “We’re not exactly sure why both elections saw falling turnouts this year, but we do appreciate how extremely busy the professions are at the moment, and that everyone’s time is at a premium. 

“As part of our ‘Council culture’ project we are looking at ways of improving all aspects of communicating the work around RCVS Council, VN Council and their committees, including around standing for and voting in elections.”

The successful candidates will take up their seats at this this year’s RCVS Annual General Meeting on Friday, 8 July 2022.

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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

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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.