Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 12th May 2011
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel
Avian vet wins inaugural award

Neil A. Forbes becomes the first ever recipient of the Helga Gerlach Award.

Neil A. Forbes, BVetMed DipECZM(avian) FRCVS, a European Specialist Avian Vet, who runs Great Western Exotics, operating out of the Vets Now Referrals hospital in Swindon has become the first ever recipient of the  Helga Gerlach Award for Excellence in Avian Veterinary Sciences.

Neil was nominated and selected as the winner of the award from a selection of European contemporaries, who were required to meet a strict level of requirements, including having practised avian medicine for 15 years, and undertaken extensive teaching, writing, research and clinical performance in this field.

Commenting on his award Neil says: “To be the first recipient of this award is a great honour, especially knowing that I have been nominated and selected by my contemporaries across Europe. This is an area of veterinary medicine that I am extremely passionate about and want to encourage more vets to become involved in. The Helga Gerlach fund celebrates and recognises the work being done by Specialist Avian vets across Europe and the world, and is an excellent recognition of the vast contribution that Professor Gerlach made to the advancement of Avian medicine. ”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.