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New chair appointed for RCVS Ethics Review Panel
The ERP offers an ethics review mechanism for researchers based in practice.
Prof Nicola Menzies-Gow will head the research review process.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has appointed Professor Nicola Menzies-Gow as the new chair of its Ethics Review Panel (ERP).

The ERP, first trialled in 2016, offers an ethics review mechanism for researchers that are based in practice, and therefore do not get this process through university or industry connections.

The subcommittee has been led by Prof David Morton CBE since the trial period was first launched. In this time, the ERP has reviewed more than 530 research proposals.

It will now be chaired by Prof Nicola Menzies-Gow FRCVS, professor in equine medicine at the Royal Veterinary College.

Prof Menzies-Gow has been a member of RCVS ERP for the past three years. She has also had the role of chair of the Clinical Research Ethical Review Board at the Royal Veterinary College.

In this role, Prof Menzies-Gow will lead the panel as it provides ethics reviews for researchers that are working in veterinary practice as they submit clinical veterinary research project applications.

Prof Morton, the outgoing chair, said: “I have been privileged to be a member of the Ethics Review Panel and to be its chair, and have learned much from my fellow reviewers. They certainly have made my job easier.

“I have always tried to ensure that the ERP maintains the highest standards whilst not disheartening the applicants by its reviews.”

The newly appointed chair, Prof Menzies-Gow, said: “I am honoured to be offered this position.”

She added: “It is vitally important that all research, regardless of where it is undertaken, undergoes ethical review to ensure that robust results are produced especially when they have the potential to influence clinical practice, and so I really welcome the work the ERP has been undertaking.

“As chair of the ERP I hope to build on the success of my predecessor and continue to support those working in clinical practice that is not associated with a university to undertake valuable research and add to the body of evidence that supports our clinical decision-making.”

Image © RCVS

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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. 

Click here for more...
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.