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Veterinary nurse scoops writer of the year award
Ciar Pembroke has been named winner of the VNJ Writer of the Year Award.
Ciar Pembroke's article explored the barriers affecting BAME veterinary students.

A veterinary nurse from Hertfordshire has been crowned winner of the 2022 VNJ Writer of the Year Award for her article on barriers affecting BAME veterinary students.

Ciar Pembroke's paper, published in the VNJ earlier this year, was titled Barriers affecting BAME students’ access and attainment in veterinary higher education. The award recognises articles that have driven positive change, encouraged discussions, or improved clinical standards in practice.

An RVN at Davies Veterinary Specialists, Ciar explained that the main aim behind her article was to help acknowledge and understand why the veterinary sector is the least diverse profession in the UK - with veterinary nursing being worse than veterinary medicine. 

In the second part of the study, Ciar explores the barriers and discusses potential solutions under the main themes of exposure, pathways, isolation/marginalisation, the learning environment and teaching styles.

Commenting on Ciar's achievement, Davies hospital director, Ben Orton, said: “We are extremely proud that she is a member of our nursing team here at Davies. Her drive, focus and commitment strongly reflect our hospital ethos, and her article pertinently and comprehensively tackles the very important subject of BAME representation within the veterinary sector.” 

The full article is available to read on the British Veterinary Nursing Association website.

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.