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CQ awarded accreditation for Level 3 Vet Nurse qualifications
RCVS praised CQ's innovative approaches to SVN education.
The awarding organisation will support centres delivering the new qualifications.

Central Qualifications (CQ) has received full accreditation from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) for two Level 3 Veterinary Nursing qualifications.

It can now support learning centres providing the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing and the Level 3 Diploma in Equine Nursing for the next five years.

Through its new qualifications, CQ says its learning centres can take a more integrated approach to delivering and assessing veterinary nursing knowledge. However, it says centres will still have the flexibility to deliver content in a bespoke way.

CQ adds that its rationalised assessment strategy will reduce the burden on learners, while still encouraging them to meet qualification outcomes. Its unique OSCE protocol is expected to make assessments less stressful for students.

The achievement follows its recent RCVS accreditation event, which saw CQ commended for the development of its Level 3 qualifications.

RCVS recognised CQ’s External Quality Assurance processes, particularly highlighting the development of its Vantage Quality Assurance system. The report said these processes showed a commitment to protecting people and animals across learning environments. It noted CQ’s analysis of the OSCE assessment, which it said demonstrated strong assessment practices and continuous improvement to its processes.

CQ was also praised for engaging multiple clinical supervisors simultaneously. RCVS said that this innovative approach was ensuring students were supervised in a comprehensive and effective way.

Central Qualifications is an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation, providing qualifications for the veterinary and animal-related industries. Alongside its Level 3 Veterinary Nursing courses, CQ also provides qualifications for veterinary nursing assistants and companion animal training.

Denise Burke, quality assurance manager for CQ, said: “The CQ team have worked really hard to achieve this goal.

“This achievement is testament to teamwork, commitment, enthusiasm and pride in what we do, leading to robust qualifications that give clear direction to both learners and educators.”

Learning centres can find out more about CQ’s new Level 3 Licence to Practice Veterinary Nurse qualifications by contacting Ms Burke at denise.burke@cqual.org.uk .

Image © Central Qualifications

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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.