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Vet nurse makes history by joining SPVS board
"Julie Eastham stood out as someone who could bring a wider variety of skills to SPVS." - Pete Orpin
Julie Eastham is the first vet nurse to become an SPVS board member.

Julie Eastham has made history by becoming the first veterinary nurse to join the board of the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS). As a board member, Ms Eastham is looking forward to highlighting the good work that the organisation does for the veterinary profession.

Ms Eastham is a veterinary nurse and practice manager at the Cambridgeshire veterinary practice where she has worked for 18 years. She first became aware of SPVS after attending its congress. She said: “From talking to nurses and front of house teams, they have either never heard of SPVS or think SPVS is a society just for vets. 

“However, as a veterinary nurse I feel I can benefit SPVS as I straddle two parts of the veterinary business. 

“I am able to see the practice as a whole, working to ensure we have a high standard, quality business but I’m also able to see how business decisions affect my fellow nurses.”

SPVS is a not-for-profit organisation that provides advice, support and guidance for veterinary professionals.

Pete Orpin, SPVS board chair said: “In 2023, we had a strong group of new board members. Julie Eastham stood out as someone who could bring a wider variety of skills to SPVS. 

“The combination of nursing and managerial experience is highly valuable and we look forward to working with Julie during her time on the board.”

Image (C) SPVS

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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.