The updated content includes instructions on interpreting blood test results and dosing with Felimazole (thiamazole), which is now available as both a tablet and a honey-flavoured oral solution.
The new Felimazole Oral Solution formulation is presented in a syringe graduated in 0.25 mg increments to ensure accurate dosing.
Thomas Johnson, Dechra companion animal brand manager said: “Consistent management and accurate treatment is key to enabling cats with feline hyperthyroidism to lead long and healthy lives.”
Dechra’s Endocrine app already covers Addison’s disease and canine Cushing’s syndrome. The inclusion of feline hyperthyroidism content aims to provide a single resource for veterinarians managing endocrine disorders in companion animals.
Dechra’s Endocrine app is available at the Apple App Store or Google Play Store
https://www.dechra.co.uk/products#/search=Felimazole
Mr Kane was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months in September 2024.
He was also disqualified from driving for two years until he had passed an extended driving test, and was ordered to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work within 12 months, and to pay a victim surcharge of £187.
It was alleged that the conviction rendered Mr Kane unfit to practise as a veterinary nurse.
From the outset, Mr Kane admitted the facts contained in the charge, but did not accept that this rendered him unfit to practise as a veterinary nurse.
After the criminal proceedings, Mr Kane wrote to express his deepest regret for his actions and the pain and guilt they had caused, stating that there was not a single day that had passed that he had not thought about the family that was affected by his actions, and the lifelong consequences that they now face.
He went on to express that he understood that as a member of a trusted profession, his conduct must reflect not only his clinical competence, but also his integrity and accountability.
He also noted that he had sought to recognise and address the consequences of his actions and that he is determined to make a positive contribution to society and to the profession.
The Committee found the charge proved on the basis of Mr Kane’s admission and the Certificate of Conviction.
The Committee found a number of factors relevant to the case:
The question for the Committee was whether Mr Kane’s conviction of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, when put into proper context, rendered him unfit to practise as a veterinary nurse.
This was not a conviction in any way linked to his practise and there was no suggestion that he represented any sort of a risk to animals in his care.
The Committee was not, therefore, concerned with any issues arising out of the need to protect animals, but rather with whether a finding of unfitness to practise was needed to uphold standards of conduct and behaviour in order to maintain public confidence in the profession.
Kathryn Peaty, Chair of the Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee took into account the public interest which includes maintaining public confidence in the profession and the regulator and upholding proper standards in the profession.
"The public interest also includes allowing an otherwise competent veterinary nurse to continue in practice, where appropriate.
“Agreeing with the judge that this was indeed an exceptional case, the Committee did not consider that Mr Kane’s conduct was liable to have a seriously detrimental effect on the reputation of the profession and concluded that the public, in full knowledge of the circumstances of this particular case, would not expect a finding that the conviction renders him unfit to practise as a veterinary nurse.
"Rather, the public would recognise that whilst the consequences were appalling and tragic for the family involved, in terms of Mr Kane’s culpability this was a momentary piece of dangerous driving, categorised by the judge as a ‘mistake’ rather than anything more blameworthy.
“The Committee therefore concluded that Mr Kane’s conviction does not render him unfit to practise as a veterinary nurse.
"This is not to in any way detract from the catastrophic consequences for the family, but rather is to reflect the context, exceptional circumstances and level of culpability in this case.”
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/concerns/disciplinary-hearings/
Threading your suture needles through a piece of suture material and tying a knot in the top is a successful way to sterilise them with your surgical packs - no more jagged fingers with needles inside swabs!
Good old fashioned washing up liquid is a very effective way to wash instruments. Very good at getting rid of the fat & grease from those fryable pyometra op's plus many others! And its a lot cheaper than chlorohexidine (hibiscrub)
BraveBites contains protein, fish oil (rich in omega-3) and prebiotics.
The snack, which was developed with a veterinary nutritionist, has a soft texture and high palatability.
Camille, who worked for a year at Fitzpatrick Referrals, said: “In dogs undergoing cancer treatment, decreased appetite and weight loss are common.
"They negatively affect both prognosis and quality of life.
“Owners were constantly asking what they could still give their dog when food refusal started.”
Camille says that in a field test across 40 veterinary clinics in Belgium and the Netherlands, over 95% of oncology patients accepted the snack well, with a reported improvement in appetite and quality of life
BraveBites is available direct to vets, with educational material, client brochures, and quality-of-life monitoring tools.
http://www.bravebitespetfood.com
Stephen was recognised for his services to veterinary education and animals in science.
He served as RCVS President from 2017 to 2018 and has been actively involved in the work of the College for many years, serving a total of 19 years as a Council member, both as a vet school-appointee and an elected member, before retiring in 2024.
During his time on Council, he led the Legislative Reform Working Group which developed the Legislative Reform Proposals, as well as the Graduate Outcomes Project, out of which the Veterinary Graduate Development Programme was developed.
Kulin was recognised for his services to animal health and international trade.
RCVS President, Linda Belton MRCVS, said: “Huge congratulations to both Professor May and Dr Patel on this outstanding achievement.
"Thank you both for your extraordinary contributions to the veterinary profession during your careers, for which I would like to extend my appreciation on behalf of everyone at the RCVS.
“I would also like to extend congratulations to all those mentioned in the King’s Birthday Honours List for contributions to the veterinary world, animal health and welfare, and to the One Health concept more generally.
"We could not do the work we do without vital stakeholder collaboration, and it is fantastic to see outstanding individuals in the field being recognised for all they have contributed to our society.”
Jessica Dawe, Deputy Head Nurse of Nine Mile Veterinary Hospital, won the individual award.
Her nomination read: "Every day, she comes in with a smile and puts in 100%, no matter the challenges faced the day before.
"Jess does not give herself the credit she deserves, as she is an amazing veterinary nurse, colleague, manager and friend to everyone.
"Her resilience, modesty, knowledge and clinical skills are admirable and we would be lost without her, and therefore, Jess is very much the diamond in our practice.”
The team award was won by the nursing team at ChesterGates Veterinary Specialists.
The runners up were Claire Mortimore from Caerphilly Veterinary Clinic, and the team at York Vets for Pets
BVNA President Lyndsay Hughes said: “The entries we have received have inspired and energised us, and we hope it’s been a real boost to all those who have been nominated too.
"It was incredibly difficult to judge the entries and shortlist our deserving winners and runners up, and we’d like to thank everyone to took the time to nominate their VN “diamonds”.
“Thank you to everyone who participated and played their part during this year's VNAM, which was especially important to us in 2025 taking place during BVNA’s 60th year.
"Your continued efforts are crucial to raise further awareness of the incredible work that veterinary nurses do, along with the significant impact they have on animal welfare, and in supporting veterinary teams and their clients.”
The theme of Congress this year, at which veterinary nurses are welcome, is 'Adapt, Evolve, Succeed', considering how we can succeed both professionally and personally by embracing growth and change.
Billed as one of the most influential experts on change and human leadership in the world, Richard has advised governments and corporations such as Google and Microsoft
Early-bird prices start at £395 for the full event, with further group bundles and day tickets available.
www.spvs-congress.co.uk
richardgerver.com
The 2025 programme features 35 speakers from across the globe, delivering content across seven learning streams tailored to all levels of ECC experience—from new graduates to advanced practitioners.
Among the speakers this year are Elle Haskey, ECC specialist and RVN at the Royal Veterinary College, Helen Philp a Critical Care specialist at UC Davis in California, and Matt Rendle an RVN with experience in nursing care for many species from ants to elephants.
Simon Hagley, ECC Specialist and Clinical Director at Vets Now Manchester, who co-led the programme design with Racheal Marshall, RVN and Head of Clinic Nursing Standards, said: “We’ve built this year’s programme around delegate feedback, bringing back favourites like our ‘Controversies’ and ‘Joined Up Thinking’ sessions, while introducing new content that reflects the evolving landscape of ECC such as antimicrobial theory and practice,discussion panels on important consensus statements, and a stream looking at cutting edge medical developments and treatment modalities.
"Whether you’re just starting out or working at an advanced level, there’s something here for you.”
Racheal added: “Our goal is to create a dynamic, interactive learning environment. From practical workshops to non-clinical sessions on wellbeing and communication, we’re equipping delegates with the tools they need to thrive in high-pressure ECC settings.”
ECC Congress 2025 is open to all veterinary professionals, including vets, vet nurses, students, and graduates.
Animal Care Assistants and Veterinary Care Assistants can attend for the same rate as students.
Tickets range from £60+VAT for exhibition-only access to £575+VAT for full two-day attendance.
Gala Dinner tickets are sold separately.
vets-now.com/congress
Taking over the Presidency from Julian Hoad, David will continue to focus on the Programme of Change and the BSAVA’s new strategy, which includes some new products and services.
David qualified from the RVC in 1988 and has had a career largely in small animal practice, including a year in Canada.
He and his wife Rosie started the first feline-only practice in England and David is now an Advanced Practitioner in small animal dermatology.
He has postgraduate qualifications in small animal dermatology and medicine, becoming board certified in feline practice, and has an RCVS Fellowship on Feline Osteoarthritis.
David helped to set up the BSAVA West Midlands committee, before then becoming a BSAVA Council member and Chair of the Regions for three years before joining the Board and the presidential ladder.
David said: “It is an honour being BSAVA President for 2025-2026, but this next year will not be about me.
"It will be about the renewal of BSAVA, it will hear us shouting out with an ever-increasing voice about the most exciting innovations and I promise to do my very best.”
Julian Hoad will now move into the role of Senior Vice President, whilst Niall Connell begins his new role as Junior Vice President alongside Jo Megarity, who joins the Board as Honorary Treasurer.
The research was carried out by scientists from Wisdom Panel, a pet DNA testing company that is part of Mars Petcare’s Science & Diagnostics division.
The discovery was made by analysing clinical data from Banfield Pet Hospital paired with DNA data from Wisdom Panel.
The researcher say estimates suggest canine atopic dermatitis affects up to 10-30% of dogs, and that these findings could lead to more targeted solutions in the future.
In addition, identification of the SLAMF1 variant presents the opportunity for breeders to breed toward dogs with a lower risk of atopic dermatitis.
Jimmy Barr, DVM, DACVECC, Chief Medical Officer for Mars Petcare’s Science & Diagnostics division said: “This finding could have a real impact on dog health
"While atopy has long been suspected to have a genetic component, this is the first time the SLAMF1 gene has been convincingly linked to this debilitating skin condition.
"This knowledge will help identify dogs at risk and could lead to new therapies and more informed dog breeding practices.”
Wisdom Panel has developed a DNA test that will be offered in partnership with Canine Genetic Testing at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge so breeders can make informed decisions to reduce the frequency of atopic dermatitis while maintaining genetic diversity.
Reference
https://www.cagt.co.uk/
Photo: https://depositphotos.com
The College points to data gathered from its 2024 VN Vision workshops which showed that many nurses believe their skills and capabilities, and the scope of tasks that can be performed within the current legal framework, are not being fully used.
This new project aims to gather insights and empower nurses to play a more central role in the sector by promoting greater involvement in:
Session dates, times and locations are as follows:
Julie Dugmore RVN, RCVS Director of Veterinary Nursing, said: “Informed by conversations with professionals across the sector and a deep understanding of current practice, this new project recognises that achieving meaningful change requires a fundamental cultural shift.
"Clear guidance, structured support and open dialogue will be key in empowering veterinary teams to adapt to a new way of working.
“An additional crucial focus will be on enhancing public understanding of the Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) role, alongside support for developing stronger interprofessional and public-facing communication.”
Jill Macdonald RVN, VN Futures Lead, added: “These interactive sessions will play an important role in this new branch of VN Vision work, helping to define long term goals, identify the practical steps needed to achieve them, and determine how success will be measured and shared with the wider public.
“We were honoured to have so many fantastic nurses come together last year to help shape the future of the profession, and we’re looking forward to many more engaging conversations with vet team members this time around.
"This is more than just a conversation though – it’s a national effort to strengthen the RVN role through collaboration, clarity and confidence.”
The ‘A vision or a necessity: strengthening the role of veterinary nurses in team-based veterinary healthcare’ workshops are open to all practice team members, including, but not limited to, veterinary nurses, veterinary surgeons, practice support staff, directors, managers, and practice owners.
Workshops will be informal, informative and made up of small groups.
Supper will also be provided.
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/vet-nursing-vision-events-3253639
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/publications/vn-vision-the-future-of-team-based-veterinary-healthcare/
Mr Ng faced seven charges:
Mr Ng admitted some aspects of the charges against him, including that he had deleted two patient records and that this was dishonest and misleading.
The Committee then determined the facts of the rest of the charges after hearing evidence from witnesses and Mr Ng himself, as well as expert witnesses.
Having considered all the evidence, it determined which elements of the charges were proved, and which were not.
The Committee then considered whether the admitted and charges found proved amounted to serious professional misconduct.
In doing so it considered that the charges against Mr Ng fell into three broad categories – deficiencies in clinical care, deficiencies in record keeping, and dishonesty.
In respect of all three, it found the admitted and charges found proved amounted to serious professional misconduct.
In terms of aggravating factors, the Committee found that Mr Ng’s conduct had directly caused harm to animals and also created risk of further harm, and noted that there were three instances of dishonesty.
Paul Morris, chairing the Disciplinary Committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The Committee noted that there were three instances of dishonest behaviour in relation to clinical records.
"The amendment of the clinical record in the labradoodle’s case was particularly serious.
"This alteration was made at a time when the respondent knew that the owner was dissatisfied with the treatment the dog had received and was complaining about the lack of therapeutic intervention.
"The alteration presented a false account of the owner’s attitude towards immediate therapeutic intervention.
"Conduct of this kind was liable to damage trust in the profession.”
In mitigation, the Committee took into account the sense of pressure Mr Ng felt following a financial dispute with his relative in respect of the veterinary practice, his long career as a veterinary surgeon and the high regard with which he was held by those who provided testimonials on his behalf.
The Committee acknowledged Mr Ng’s assertions that he now understood his failings and his expressions of remorse for the harm he had caused and that these indicated the beginnings of insight.
However, in respect of the clinical deficiencies, the Committee found that various aspects of Mr Ng’s approach to treating conditions such as diabetes and cherry eye were inadequate and out-of-date, and that there was little in his continuing professional development (CPD) record or his statements to suggest he had attempted to improve these deficiencies.
Ultimately, the Committee found that Mr Ng’s conduct was so serious that removal from the Register was the most appropriate sanction.
Paul Morris added: “The Committee has concluded that the respondent’s behaviour was fundamentally incompatible with being a veterinary surgeon.
"In view of the nature and gravity of the Committee’s findings in this case, removal from the Register is necessary to ensure the protection of animals and the maintenance of public confidence in the profession and the regulatory process.”
www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary
The researchers say that previous research suggests that approximately 10% of diabetic cats are euthanised at the time of diagnosis, making it a significant cat welfare issue.
However, this figure was largely based on questionnaire-based research from several global locations.
This new study followed the survival of 1,053 cats with confirmed diabetes mellitus under UK primary-care practices in 2019, providing the most up-to-date baseline data on early death among diabetic cats in the UK, as well as examining risk factors for the development of diabetes among UK pet cats.
The study found:
Based on these findings, the researchers encourage veterinarians to more actively discuss diabetes mellitus risk with cat owners, particularly those with Burmilla and Burmese breeds, in the hope that raising awareness of the disease might improve outcomes through earlier diagnosis, and by taking actions that might prevent diabetes mellitus development in the first instance, such as preventing cats becoming obese.
Dr Oliver Waite, Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine at Murdoch University, and primary author of the paper, said: “We hope that this new, large scale epidemiological study, investigating the second most common endocrine disease in cats, will help to highlight current as well as future areas to improve cat welfare.
"This is an exciting time for the management of diabetic cats but more work is still needed!”
Dr Dan O’Neill, Associate Professor in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC, and co-author of the paper, said: “This new VetCompass study shows the value of everyone working in primary care practice sharing their anonymised clinical data to get a better understanding of real-world animal health.
"Awareness of the scale of the diabetes mellitus issue revealed here can empower veterinary professionals to engage in more conversations with owners about diabetes mellitus prevention in predisposed cats.”
The practice was officially opened by the TV presenter and newspaper columnist, Adrian Chiles, who faced a lot of criticism from the profession a couple of years ago when he wrote an article about increasing veterinary fees and upselling tactics.
Adrian said: “I have never received such a volume of correspondence to one of my newspaper columns.
"One of the people that wrote to me was Movement Director, Professor John Innes, and we had very useful subsequent discussions that made me realise I had unfairly blamed vets for the issues I had felt as a pet owner.”
The new centre is led by Mark Lowrie, Specialist veterinary neurologist, who is joined by orthopaedic surgeons, Kinley Smith and David Thomson and neurology residents, Callum Golding and Rebecca Clark.
https://www.movementvets.co.uk
The researcher say their analysis shows more needs to be done within the profession to acknowledge, raise awareness of and dismantle the systemic and often overlooked forms of racism that exist.
For the qualitative study, all BAME veterinary professionals and students in the UK were asked to complete an online questionnaire, containing open questions about their experiences.
The questionnaire was was distributed online, in veterinary schools, veterinary organisations and the media, with responses analysed using inductive and deductive approaches.
The findings identified three main themes regarding BAME people’s experiences in the sector.
The first was alienation and insecurity, ranging from blatant rejection, or being deliberately patronised, such as:
"In practicals in the vet school, I’ve noticed more and more times that students would rather work on other stations and not want to work on stations me and my friends (who are also from ethnic minority backgrounds) are working on, even when the other stations are full. This has happened on multiple occasions."
or
"On work experience, the vet I was shadowing at the time would ask me questions like, “Are you integrated into society yet?”, and “What do you eat?”. I am a British citizen who was born in the UK, and so were my parents, so I found this particularly confusing."
Through to more subtle forms of "othering":
"People assume that you aren't British and are different, whereas I would say since I was born and grew up in Britain that I identify as British. People ask me if I can speak another language, or like, do I eat my ethnic food all the time?
"An older couple once probed, “Where are you from?”, I said [name of UK city], they asked again, I said I grew up in [name of UK county], and they asked one more time and I said I have Caribbean heritage. I find this is a common form of racism amongst older people and often they’re not trying to be hurtful, but they’re curious and don't understand how it would make someone feel uncomfortable.
The second theme was homogenisation and inferiorisation, for example when BAME people are labelled, often incorrectly, according to perceived ethnicity:
"I've had lay colleagues refer to me as ‘the Chinese vet’ in front of clients and other colleagues rather than address me by my name – and it's weird because I grew up in Australia."
"Clients often asked to book in with the Singapore vet, but commonly referred to him as ‘the Chinese vet’ on the phone instead of his name, or if they forgot his name. I believe the nurses corrected these clients, but sometimes the clients would ‘jokingly’ comment that it's ‘the same thing’."
The final theme was the disappointment and futility felt by many of the participants, and the impact on their job satisfaction:
"Job satisfaction worsens when I learn that my colleagues (nurses or vets) are unaware of the impact of their words and do not understand what constitutes racism, e.g., use of the word ‘golliwog’, even when not used to describe a specific person. The judgement placed on someone due to their ethnicity creates an unpleasant atmosphere which impacts job satisfaction."
Dr Christine Thuranira-McKeever, Vice Principal (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) and Director of Distance Learning at the RVC, said: “At the RVC, we are committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within the sector and have implemented several initiatives – aligned with our Strategic Plan in which EDI is a core component – to encourage participation from underrepresented groups.
"This includes the RVC For All campaign and Veterinary Gateway Programme to broaden access to veterinary education; the RVC's Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee and Race Equality Task Group to focus on addressing racial disparities and shaping policy; and Animal Aspirations, founded in 2019 by RVC students, to support individuals from minority backgrounds.
“However, there is more to be done, and the findings of this study emphasise a significant need for the veterinary profession to come together and do more to acknowledge and raise awareness of the systemic and often overlooked forms of racism, to challenge and dismantle them, and to empower those who are affected.”
Reasonable adjustments can include changing working arrangements and providing equipment, services and support.
The campaign will address common myths and misconceptions surrounding reasonable adjustments and highlight the legal obligations of leaders and managers around implementation.
The campaign, which will run until the end of July, is being launched after an RCVS/British Veterinary Chronic Illness Support (BCVIS) survey concluded there is a need to increase awareness about reasonable adjustments, promote wider discussion and equip organisations with the information they need to implement them.
The research also indicated that improved knowledge of legislation is needed, with communication also being raised as an important issue, so that individuals feel empowered to ask for the support they need.
MMI Lead, Rapinder Newton, said: “Our ‘Let’s talk adjustments’ campaign will support people to have these important conversations by sharing information, educational resources and guidance on good practice.
"It will also provide examples of different types of adjustments, including examples that are specific to the veterinary context.
“We know that physical and mental health are deeply interconnected.
"Reasonable adjustments can support both physical and mental health but also helps to safeguard mental health through allowing individuals with disabilities to thrive.
“We will be keeping people updated on the campaign, which has its own dedicated section on the RCVS website, via the RCVS social media channels, as well as providing information in RCVS newsletters, so do keep an eye out for this over the coming months.”
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/lifelong-learning/leadership-diversity-and-inclusion/reasonable-adjustments-campaign/
Photo courtesy: https://depositphotos.com
The company has prepared practice marketing materials to support the campaign to educate pet owners on the signs of anxiety in cats and dogs, which are available from its Account Managers.
The campaign is being fronted by TV personality and radio presenter, Kate Lawler (pictured), who has taken on the role of official ambassador having experienced anxiety in her rescue Terrier cross, Shirley.
Ceva has partnered with Battersea Dogs and Cats Home for the campaign and will be making a donation of £1 for every Adaptil product sold during March.
http://www.petanxiety.co.uk
Successful candidates will get to work with a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including nurses with advanced qualifications, RCVS, European & American Diplomats, Veterinary Residents & Interns and Animal Care Assistants.
The Veterinary Nurse Rotating Internship is a one-year fixed term internship where interns will rotate through various departments, gaining experience and expanding their knowledge across a range of clinical disciplines such as theatre, emergency and critical care, wards nursing, anaesthesia, and more.
Applications for the August 2025 intake are now open: https://www.langfordvets.co.uk/work-with-us/nursing-rotating-internship-2025-2026/
The Veterinary Nurse Residency has been developed to support veterinary nurses who want to achieve their Veterinary Technician Specialism (VTS), in a specific discipline in which they would already hold extensive experience in.
The three year programme will allow successful applicants the opportunity to spend three years studying towards a Veterinary Technician Specialist qualification in Emergency and Critical Care, Anaesthesia and Analgesia, Internal Medicine or Neurology.
Applications for the 2025-2028 cohort are now open: https://www.langfordvets.co.uk/work-with-us/veterinary-nursing-residency-programme-2025-2028/
The panel will present the latest information on the prevalence of this zoonotic disease, review prevention strategies, and highlight the significance of cystic echinococcosis in humans.
The panelists are:
Dr Carolyn Kyte MRCVS (pictured), Elanco's UK Technical Consultant said: “We are concerned about potential changes in the distribution of Echinococcus granulosus in the UK and a subsequent change in zoonotic risk.
"We are hoping this cross-disciplinary discussion will provide Congress and Expo attendees with the latest insights the profession needs to allow individual, risk-based parasite control in dogs.
"The responsible use of parasiticides needs a true One-Health collaborative approach.”
Mrs Cole pleaded guilty to fraud in July 2024 at Crawley Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for 12 months, 20 days rehabilitation activity and a £187 victim surcharge.
The College opened its own disciplinary investigation against Mrs Cole after receiving the certificate of conviction, which related to more than £13,000 of pet insurance fraud.
It then proceeded with the hearing in Mrs Cole’s absence as she had not responded to any of the communications sent to her by the College on the matter.
Having found the charge against her proven by the certificate of conviction, the Committee then determined that the conviction amounted to serious professional misconduct.
Dr Kathryn Peaty MRCVS, chairing the committee and speaking on its behalf, said: “The respondent’s conduct… was plainly dishonest and contravened a fundamental tenet of the profession.
"She abused her professional position in order to commit the offence.
"The dishonest conduct in this case related directly to the respondent’s professional life, as she was working as a veterinary nurse when she completed and submitted the fraudulent claims.
“Her conduct also constituted a breach of the trust owed to her employer and to the insurance company to which her dishonest claims were submitted.
"She put her professional colleagues at risk as their names were used on the clinical records which purportedly supported her dishonest claims.
“Her misconduct was repeated and sustained over a period of many years.
"Her modus operandi was sophisticated and premeditated.
“The respondent’s conduct clearly had the potential to bring the profession into disrepute and to undermine public trust in the profession.
"A member of the public would be rightly appalled to learn that a veterinary nurse had abused her position by submitting false claims in this way.”
The Committee found that there were no mitigating factors, and that aggravating factors included the premeditated nature of Mrs Cole’s fraud, the clear breaches of trust in respect of her colleagues, her clients and the insurance companies, the significant financial gain made from her fraud and the fact that the fraudulent activities were sustained and repeated over a period of four and a half years.
Kathryn added: “Taking into account the gravity of her misconduct, the need to maintain standards of probity in the profession, especially in relation to practice records and the submission of insurance claim documents, as well as the maintenance of public confidence in the profession, the Committee has resolved to direct the Registrar to remove the respondent’s name from the Register.
The pathway allows receptionists to progress through five stages of seniority, from receptionist to head receptionist - then beyond into practice and regional leadership roles.
It also shows how receptionists can branch out laterally into different roles within the group’s other divisions.
For each stage, there's a detailed outline of the necessary skills and capabilities and a curriculum of learning.
Philip Webb, Learning Partner at CVS who led the development of the pathway, said: “Receptionists are one of the most important roles in practice.
"They are the first and oftentimes key point of contact for our clients and play an instrumental role in how the workload of a practice is managed.
“We hope that the structured information and learning within our pathway will build the skills of each of our front-line colleagues, enhance the role of the receptionist in our practices, and give clear guidance on how to progress.
The sessions are:
https://www.bsavacongress.com/programme
VetNurse.co.uk has seen copies of correspondence from IVC which claims that its Pet Health Club has built up goodwill amongst the group's customers, and that the use of the term by other practices risks confusing the public and taking unfair advantage of the reputation built up by IVC.
One wonders which bright spark at IVC thought this was a good idea.
Bullying small independent businesses is not a great look, particularly in a caring profession such as this.
Besides which, where is the evidence that other practices using the term 'Pet Health Club' has any impact on IVC's business whatsoever?
After all, pet health plans, or clubs, are inexorably linked to the practice providing the subscription services they offer.
Nobody goes online looking for which practice offers the best pet health club, like they were choosing between the Hurlingham and the Groucho. It's something offered to the existing clients of a practice.
So there is literally zero chance of confusion over who is providing the service.
And on what planet does IVC think a client of another practice might be presented with an option to join a pet health club and think: "Oh this is that wonderfully smashy nicey club I have seen elsewhere. I must join it."
Ironically, given the CMA investigation, IVC's Pet Health Club website is opaque about which practice group (or practice) provides its own service.
How it is therefore possible to argue that it has built up a reputation is also unclear.
Finally, if you Google "Pet Health Club", you'll see that IVC already dominates the search results in a way that makes it vanishingly unlikely that its service is going to be confused with anyone else's.
This would all be laughable, except it's not if you're one of the 20 or 30 practices that VetNurse.co.uk hears have been on the receiving end of a threatening letter.
Natalie Morris-Webb MRCVS from Malthouse Veterinary Group, one of the affected practices, said: “I was stunned to receive a letter from IVC claiming that our Pet Health Club, which we launched in 2017, is an infringement under the Trade Marks Act 1994 and that we’re using a registered word mark without the consent of the proprietor.
“It’s a ubiquitous term that lots of practices use and it quickly became apparent that these letters have been sent out far and wide.
"There are practices that have been using the term for well over 10 years and to rebrand will be very expensive and time-consuming for what are mostly small businesses.
“We’ve had some conversation with IVC’s representatives to discuss how else we can resolve the situation and whether such a heavy-handed approach is really necessary, because surely IVC don’t want a legal spat with so many independent businesses.
“It’s also very worrying to receive aggressive legal threats from a huge organisation, so it was reassuring to hear from other practices that are facing the same dilemma, and we want to extend our support to others in the same position.
"We’ve therefore launched We Are Spartacus where any practices that are affected can register their details.
"We can then work together and decide how to move forward as a collective."
Hopefully, there will be no need.
Hopefully, someone higher up the chain at IVC will stop this madness, admit that it called this one wrong and immediately write to the businesses it has already contacted, apologise profusely and withdraw its threat.
But if the company persists and wins it'll probably be a pyrrhic victory.
After all, pet health plans have largely been sold on the back of routine flea, worm and tick control, the need for which is starting to be questioned by the profession, particularly in the light of research pointing to the possible harm to other species, but also because of the greater focus on the cost of veterinary care.
Elle says she created the course she wished she had when she first qualified, one which offers provides practical tools and tailored support to build confidence, overcome self-doubt, and thrive in veterinary practice.
She said: “I remember what it felt like to step into practice as a newly qualified vet nurse—feeling unsure, overwhelmed, and constantly questioning whether I was good enough.
"That’s why I created this course - to give vet nurses the support and confidence they deserve.”
The Confidence Coaching CPD Course includes:
Elle says the course is ideal for veterinary nurses or vets, in particular those struggling with confidence in their clinical skills, and professionals looking to progress in their careers.
The course costs £350, but as part of the launch, Elle is offering a 25% limited-time discount for those who sign up early using the code: PVN25.
https://thepositivevetnurse.com/cpd-course