The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) launched the new Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) on 20 November 2015 to the veterinary and veterinary nursing professions.  It is now open for applications for both practice accreditations and the brand new system of PSS awards.

The new Scheme is all about offering a pathway to improvement for practices of all shapes and sizes that want to aspire to excellence, and then highlighting these achievements to the animal-owning public in a way that is clear and easy to understand.  Over half of all veterinary practice premises in the UK are already RCVS-accredited. The main changes to the Scheme, which was established in 2005, have been based on feedback from the profession and input from the Practice Standards Group (PSG), with the dual aims of making it more accessible for those practices which aren’t yet PSS members, and even more rewarding for those who are already accredited.

Whilst retaining the existing accreditation levels across small animal, equine and farm animal practices (current RCVS-accredited practices will be automatically transferred to the new Scheme), a new modular structure helps to make the Scheme more flexible and ensure all types of veterinary practice – from ambulatory services to veterinary hospitals – can join. This structure also recognises the contributions of the whole practice team, helping to raise standards across the board.  Once accredited, practices can now apply for a range of optional awards that focus on outcomes and behaviours in specific areas, such as ‘In-patient Service’, ‘Team and Professional Responsibility’ and ‘Client Service’.

As an introductory offer, the RCVS is now inviting applications from practices that would be willing to help with a final round of testing of the new Scheme, to be in with a chance to win one of 20 free assessment days, worth £350. The offer is open from 20 November until Friday 4 December, and the first 20 practices drawn at random on 7 December will be allocated the free assessments.

Full details about the draw, the new Scheme and how to apply for accreditation and/or awards are available at www.rcvs.org.uk/newpss

 

Leading health organisations call for proper use of antibiotics.
Leading human and animal health organisations – the British Medical Association (BMA), British Dental Association (BDA), British Veterinary Association (BVA) and Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) – join forces for the first time to promote a ‘One Health’ approach to ensure responsible guardianship of antibiotics and their proper public use this European Antibiotics Awareness Day (EAAD, 18 November 2015).

Antibiotics are a vital medicine for both animal and human health, and modern health systems rely on the availability and effectiveness of a range of antimicrobials to treat and prevent infections. Yet inappropriate use – such as prescribing for self-limiting infections, not finishing a prescribed course of antibiotics or habitual prophylactic use in healthy animals to prevent disease – all contribute to the development of resistant bacteria in both humans and animals.

The effectiveness of antibiotics has led to greater pressure from patients to be prescribed antibiotics as a panacea for all cases. According to a recent BVA survey, three out of five vets see clients who expect antibiotics to treat their pets. Yet despite the expectation to prescribe, there is still a lack of understanding about responsible antibiotic use with 70% of vets reporting poor owner compliance and a recent study showing nearly 6% of households with leftover antibiotics prescribed for humans, meaning patients had stopped their treatment early.

For further information about EAAD 2015, please visit www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/EAAD
To mark EAAD 2015, BVA has produced a range of new posters to promote the responsible use of antibiotics for use in veterinary practices or as a source of information for pet owners which can be found on their website www.bva.co.uk/eaad.

 

Below is a link from  SPVS for the salary survey. This is a survey for all practice employees and partners if they wish anybody who replies will get a full set of results back. The finished results give a break down of salaries paid to vets , nurses , receptionists and practice managers broken down in a number of ways , region / years qualified / type of work they are doing etc. It also has a section on extras i.e. cpd allowances pension and etc.

The results are of great insight to both employers and employees looking to hire or be hired!! Of course the means , averages and median values take on more significance the more people that reply from each region. It only takes 4 to 5 minutes.

Your response would be appreciated. 
http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/SPVSsal2015/

Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011
Under the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011 a person who is responsible for an animal must ensure that its needs are met, and it is an offence to fail to take reasonable steps to ensure its welfare.  Causing an animal unnecessary suffering is also an offence and can be punished with a prison sentence of up to 2 years and an unlimited fine.
Three separate bodies are responsible for enforcement of the Act depending on the type of animals involved and, in some cases, the nature of the welfare issue.
Officers from the enforcement bodies will investigate complaints and can use their statutory powers to take a range of actions including giving advice, issuing legally binding Improvement Notices, taking animals into their possession and prosecution.

If you do become aware of an animal welfare case please DO report it to the appropriate enforcement body as set out below,providing as much information as possible.
Please DO NOT:
·         uploadcomments or photographs to social media sites or other media outlets as this may jeopardise potential court proceedings;
·         interfere with evidence as this may affect any subsequent criminal investigation; or
·         attempt to rescue an animal from another person or property as you may be found to be acting illegally.

NON-FARMED ANIMALS
District Councils are responsible for enforcement of the Welfare of Animals (NI) Act 2011, as it applies to Non-Farmed Animals.This means domestic pets of any vertebrate species such as cats, dogs, horses and donkeys, etc.
The Council Animal Welfare Officersdo not offer re-homing services for unwanted animals but will be able to refer you to other bodies that may be able to help.
If you need to report a Non-Farmed Animalwelfare case during office hours Monday – Friday 9am-5pm you should contact the appropriate telephone number or email address relating to the region you live in, these are set out below.
Please note that emails will only be responded to during office hours which are Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.
For emergency animal welfare cases only between 9am and 5pm at weekends and over holiday periods contact the same numbers and you will be directed to an out of hours service.
Belfast City Council
Telephone: 028 9027 0431
Email: [email protected]  
Eastern Region –Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Ards & North Down District Council
Telephone: 028 9049 4567
Email: [email protected]
Northern Region– Mid & East Antrim District Council, Causeway Coast & Glens District Council, Antrim & Newtownabbey BoroughCouncil
Telephone:   028 2563 3134
Email: [email protected]
Southern Region – Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council,Newry Mourne & Down District Council
Telephone:   028 3751 5800
Email: [email protected]
Western Area – Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, Derry City & Strabane District Council, Mid Ulster District Council.
Telephone:    028 8225 6226
Email: [email protected]

FARMED ANIMALS
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD)is responsible for enforcement of the Welfare of Animals (NI) Act 2011, in relation to Farmed Animals.Welfare complaints in respect of Farmed Animals (that is animals bred or kept for the production of food, wool or skin or other farming purposes) should be referred to DARD.
During office hours which are Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, contact DARD bytelephone:0300 200 7840. 
After 5pm and at weekendsif you have a complaint relating to a Farmed Animal contact a local Private Veterinary Practice.

WILDLIFE
If you suspect Wildlife Crime, for example;Badger Baiting,illegal killing of birds of prey ,destroying or disturbing bat roosts, release into the wild of non-native species, trapping wildlife illegally, trade in endangered species, deer poaching etc. then please contact the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).If an animal is involved with other criminal related activity for example dog fighting please telephone the local PSNI by dialling 101or if very urgent please call 999.  Information can also be given anonymously through the Crime Stoppers Charity on 0800 555 111. The PSNI are also responsible for animals wandering on roads under the Animals (NI) Order 1976.   

Information on animal welfare and how to care for animals is available at www.nidirect.gov.uk/animal-welfare.

Wanted! Diabetic Dogs for international clinical trial
There is a request for diabetic dogs to take part in a large international clinical trial which will be running throughout 2015.  Please help by referring your suitable cases to participating practices in Northern Ireland!  All costs will be   covered for included dogs, and referring vets may be eligible for a £150 M&S voucher.  For full details, please see the attached PDF.

click here to download more info

Following consultation with interested bodies the emergency slaughter certificate has now been amended and produced as a triplicate pad with guidelines on farm slaughter included.

The on farm emergency slaughter pads are available for purchase from BCVA by contacting the Office (Tel: 01452 725735, [email protected]). Containing fifty certificates, each pad costs £25.00 plus VAT. Please note that there is also a charge for postage.