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Charity names Vet Nurse of the Year 2022
Kirsty Cavill receiving her award from Paul Manktelow at BVNA Congress.

“To be recognised by the Blue Cross in this way is an absolute honour” – Kirsty Cavill RVN.

A veterinary nurse from Leatherhead has won a prestigious award for her work to improve the welfare of senior patients. 

Head veterinary nurse Kirsty Cavill from The Vet Connection was named Blue Cross ‘Vet Nurse of the Year 2022’ in recognition of the support she gives to pets in chronic pain from arthritis, and for going above and beyond in her volunteering roles.

Paul Manktelow, director of veterinary clinical services at Blue Cross said: “Kirsty has fully embraced the opportunity, potential and diversity that's possible within a veterinary nurse career. She continually demonstrates passion for animal welfare, for giving back to society and inspiring others in the profession. she truly deserves this award and is an inspiration to us all.” 

Kirsty is is a volunteer veterinary nurse advisor with Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) and also a volunteer Veterinary Street Nurse team lead and committee member, providing free veterinary care and support for homeless pet owners.
By participating in frequent outreach sessions with her StreetVet colleagues in Plymouth, she supports senior dogs and those with mobility-related challenges living on the streets with their owners. 

Kirsty received her award at the British Veterinary Nurse Association (BVNA) Congress in Telford on Saturday (8 October). 

She said: “I was extremely surprised and truly humbled to have been given this prestigious award. Being entrusted to care for an owner's beloved pet and helping to facilitate the human-animal bond is a privilege, which I never take for granted. To be recognised by the Blue Cross in this way is an absolute honour.” 

Image (C) Blue Cross.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."