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Nominations for RCVS and VN Councils elections open
The nomination deadline is Wednesday, 31 January 2024 at 5.00pm.
Elected members will contribute to key industry decisions.

The nomination period for the 2024 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council and Veterinary Nurses (VN) Council elections has opened.

Veterinary surgeons and nurses who wish to become members of a council will have until 5.00pm on Wednesday, 31 January 2024 to enter themselves as candidates.

There are three elected veterinary surgeon places available in the RCVS Council, and two elected veterinary nurse places in the VN Council.

RCVS Council acts as the governing body of the College, and is responsible for the regulation and advancement of veterinary professions. Members elected to the RCVS Council approve major policy decisions, strategic and financial plans and annual budgets.

RCVS Council members may also be asked to sit on committees, sub-committees and ad-hoc working groups for topics such as standards, education, registration, finance and profession advancement.

Members of the VN Council are responsible for veterinary nurse education and training standards, including post-qualification awards and the registration of qualified veterinary nurses.

VN Council also has oversight over the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) and RCVS VN Futures project, so members may be asked to sit on the VN Education committee and other committees, sub-committees and ad hoc working groups.

The RCVS has produced downloadable information packs for candidates to the RCVS Council or VN Council elections, which provide information about the responsibilities of each council member and the nomination process.

The packs also include the candidate nomination and information forms.

The RCVS has noted that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are currently approving amendments to the RCVS Council election scheme. Though there may be some minor changes to the nomination process, this will not affect nominations already submitted.

Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS registrar and returning officer for both elections, said: “RCVS-registered veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses of all backgrounds, at all career stages, and with all levels of experience are eligible to stand in their respective elections.

“So, if you want to help shape the future of veterinary regulation and our Royal College initiatives and activities, please consider standing in next year’s elections.”

Veterinary surgeons interested in joining RCVS Council should contact Dawn Wiggins, RCVS Council secretary, at d.wiggins@rcvs.org.uk.

Veterinary nurses interested in joining VN Council should contact Annette Amato, VN Council secretary, at a.amato@rcvs.org.uk.

Image © Shutterstock

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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.