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BVA launches new menopause hub
"We're committed to supporting all veterinary staff affected by menopause" - Anna Judson
The hub will support veterinary profession and aims to boost workforce retention.

As part of the British Veterinary Association’s (BVA’s) Good Veterinary Workplaces initiative, a new menopause hub has been launched to support members of the veterinary profession. It aims to help more women to stay in the veterinary profession and retain their vital skills in the workforce.

The hub will provide a range of veterinary specific menopause content to support everyone working in practice including colleagues, managers and partners of people experiencing the menopause. 

BVA has recently signed the Menopause Workplace Pledge and is urging other veterinary employers to do the same. The pledge calls on employers to take positive action and support everyone going through the menopause.

The Voice of the Veterinary Profession Spring 2023 survey revealed that only 14 per cent of veterinary surgeons are aware of a menopause policy at their workplace. Forty-six per cent said that there is no policy and 39 per cent are unsure. 

The survey also showed that 59 per cent of veterinary surgeons would feel confident supporting a colleague experiencing menopause.

In 2022, evidence given to the women and equalities parliamentary committee by BUPA suggested that 900,000 women may have left the UK workforce in recent years as a result of menopausal symptoms.

BVA junior vice-president Anna Judson, said: “We know that menopause is of growing importance to our profession, with female vets now making up more than half the workforce, and we know that issues with managing menopause symptoms prompt a significant number of women to move away from clinical work. 

“As part of our Good Veterinary Workplaces campaign we’re committed to supporting all veterinary staff affected by menopause, allowing them to remain in post, and to providing relevant resources to improve employer engagement in this area. We urge all veterinary workplaces to sign the pledge and consider what more they could be doing to support their staff in managing menopause symptoms in the workplace.”

The impact of the menopause on the profession will be discussed in a panel session at the BVA Congress at London Vet Show in November.

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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.