VetNI

Veterinary Northern Ireland

Farmers’ survey – please share!

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Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) is the networking and forum body for organisations interested in the natural and built environment of Northern Ireland. NIEL have secured funding to run a survey to explore farmers’ opinions on current and future agriculture policy. They want to hear from a wide range of farmers in order to assess views on the current state of farming, problems faced and farmers’ opinions on possible future changes to agricultural policy in Northern Ireland. This survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete so please encourage your farming clients to take part
The survey can be found HERE.

Vet Nursing Training in NI & an associated job vacancy

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Paul Crawford attended a meeting at Greenmount last week about ongoing nurse training post. He reports that CAFRE are in advanced talks with an alternate course provider to continue the delivery of VN training at Greenmount. It is their expectation that training will continue and they are actively enrolling students to start studies in Sept 2020 with the new course being delivered over two calendar years with teaching over the summer holiday period (mainly online) of both year one and two with the aim of sitting OSCEs in the September two years after enrolment. This means that qualification may take two years and three months from September enrolment. The NPL will be replaced with the course provider’s own platform which in addition to tracking the clinical progress of the student will have information about their academic progress. The progress log section will be less prescriptive than the NPL but this will mean that more active input from the clinical coach may be required to direct the learner. It will be possible to upload a greater range of evidence simply in the new platform to demonstrate competency. The course structure is very different. There is no dedicated anatomy and physiology module for example – these elements are integrated into ‘system specific’ modules. This should improve student engagement and satisfaction especially in the early months of the course.

With regard to current vet nursing students completing C&G, there is no provision for approval of prior learning to transfer credits from the C&G course to any new course. The completion date of August 2023 should give all current students adequate time to complete unless they take an extended period away from the course. All legacy students have been spoken to and advised what they need to do to complete the remaining elements of their particular course and given time milestones to achieve everything before the C&G course ends.

ANA course – this was due to be switched to a new provider in Sept 2020 but this change may be postponed for a year to avoid re-writing two courses in one session.

As part of the drive to keep nursing training running smoothly, DAERA are seeking someone to fill temporary position.  The advert can be found on NIjobfinder HERE.
Please share this job with any interested people. The advert is suitably wide ranging in the scope of who they might accept and all the teaching and assessment tools are prepared and sitting ready to deliver. Part time and job share considered. NOTE imminent closing date!

NIVA AGM – what an evening!

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2019 NIVA President Aurelie Moralis welcomed a packed room of members at the recent NIVA Annual General Meeting, held at the Dunadry Hotel on Wednesday 12th February.  Aurelie continues as Senior Vice-President for 2020.  She thanked Hatti Dainton and Pat Hart for their service to NIVA as they step down from Council. Other formalities included the installation of Susan Cunningham as President for 2020 and the election of Mark Little as Junior Vice President. The membership endorsed Pat Hart as an Honorary Member. The full list of Council members can be found on the NIVA page of the VetNI website.
Susan encouraged members to engage with their Association, both by attending events and by offering their views when NIVA is formulating policy and response to issues such as the RCVS reviews of telemedicine, the definition of ‘under our care’, and changes to the burden of proof in disciplinary hearings.
Following the AGM Susan welcomed guest speaker Richard Moore who gave a very informative and moving talk entitled ‘Everybody had a Donkey – An introduction to the significant role equines can play in improving human physical and mental health’. NIVA welcomed many guests to this talk, welcoming further opportunities for growth of the one-health initiative.
NIVA look forward to another great year and thank Duggan Veterinary Supplies who kindly sponsored the event.

For those who would like to find out more or get involved in Equine Assisted Therapy, a list of providers can be found HERE. 

NIVA AGM – what an evening!

By

2019 NIVA President Aurelie Moralis welcomed a packed room of members at the recent NIVA Annual General Meeting, held at the Dunadry Hotel on Wednesday 12th February.  Aurelie continues as Senior Vice-President for 2020.  She thanked Hatti Dainton and Pat Hart for their service to NIVA as they step down from Council. Other formalities included the installation of Susan Cunningham as President for 2020 and the election of Mark Little as Junior Vice President. The membership endorsed Pat Hart as an Honorary Member. The full list of Council members can be found on the NIVA page of the VetNI website.
Susan encouraged members to engage with their Association, both by attending events and by offering their views when NIVA is formulating policy and response to issues such as the RCVS reviews of telemedicine, the definition of ‘under our care’, and changes to the burden of proof in disciplinary hearings.
Following the AGM Susan welcomed guest speaker Richard Moore who gave a very informative and moving talk entitled ‘Everybody had a Donkey – An introduction to the significant role equines can play in improving human physical and mental health’. NIVA welcomed many guests to this talk, welcoming further opportunities for growth of the one-health initiative.
NIVA look forward to another great year and thank Duggan Veterinary Supplies who kindly sponsored the event.

For those who would like to find out more or get involved in Equine Assisted Therapy, a list of providers can be found HERE. 

AVSPNI Spring Conference – open for registrations!

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Behaviour, GI medicine, endocrinology, orthopaedic surgery, wildlife, wounds and suturing and more . . . AVSPNI Spring Conference programme can be accessed HERE. Pull up a chair, pour yourself a coffee and take 5 minutes to browse through it – we think you’ll find something of interest! On-line registration can be accessed HERE.  Things to note:
  • No price increase for AVSPNI members since this event started!
  • Discounted lecture prices for vets who graduated in or since 2014
  • Recent grads who book 2 days’ lectures and are also AVSPNI members get a Party Ticket thrown in too
  • Special rates for VI members (VCI points applied for)
  • Discounted rates for BVNA members or nursing staff from an AVSPNI practice but . . .
  • The very best rates for nurses are for those who are BVNA members AND from an AVSPNI practice.

CRGV – “Alabama Rot”

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VETS!!! BE AWARE . . .
A case of Alabama Rot has been diagnosed in Northern Ireland. This is a devastating disease so your dog-owning clients may well be concerned. Please be ready to advise them of symptoms. Though the syndrome is not fully understood, an environmental link may be implicated therefore possible preventative measures such as rinsing dogs after a muddy/woodland walk may be helpful. Alabama Rot is still thankfully very rare and prompt action, ideally before renal symptoms occur, improves the chances of a successful outcome therefore be vigilant for any unexplained cuts/skin lesions, particularly on the legs and lower body.

CRGV – “Alabama Rot”

By

VETS!!! BE AWARE . . .
A case of Alabama Rot has been diagnosed in Northern Ireland. This is a devastating disease so your dog-owning clients may well be concerned. Please be ready to advise them of symptoms. Though the syndrome is not fully understood, an environmental link may be implicated therefore possible preventative measures such as rinsing dogs after a muddy/woodland walk may be helpful. Alabama Rot is still thankfully very rare and prompt action, ideally before renal symptoms occur, improves the chances of a successful outcome therefore be vigilant for any unexplained cuts/skin lesions, particularly on the legs and lower body.

Your new BVNA Regional Representative

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Dear Member,
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as your new BVNA Regional Representative for Northern Ireland region.
I have worked in the veterinary profession since 2000. I qualified as an RVN in 2006, working as a Senior Nurse in a busy small animal clinic. I have always enjoyed the training and development of student nurses, which lead me to complete a certificate in teaching. I am currently employed as a VN Lecturer, and am part of the quality assurance team on the L3DVN course, along with carrying out TP approvals, student support and clinical coach training.
I also enjoy locum nursing, having worked in an out of hours role, worked with referral cases, and in clinical research. I recently completed my Advanced Certificate in the Veterinary Nursing of Avian patients, and I am currently working on my Advanced Certs in Reptile, Wildlife and Small Mammal Nursing too. I believe that in this career, we must continue to learn and develop ourselves, and I hope that as the Regional Representative for our area I can be part of the provision of worthwhile CPD for both student and qualified Veterinary Nurses, along with other members of the practice team. I will be led by your requests for CPD subjects.
I am also one of the founding members of the Vet Support Northern Ireland team, we are a group of Vets and Veterinary Nurses who have been specifically trained to provide mental health support to the veterinary community http://www.vetsupportni.co.uk/
I currently live in Newtownards, Co.Down, and outside of work, I keep a small herd of sheep, some pedigree Blonde d’Aquitaine cows – which I breed and show, two very naughty horses, some goats, three cats, a dog and a tortoise! I also have two lovely children and a very supportive partner.
I am looking forward to this new challenge and to meeting you all in the near future at our first meeting.
Kind regards
Louise Patterson RVN

Please share these CAFRE schemes with your farm clients

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Applications are open to a number of CAFRE Schemes, which can benefit farm businesses. These include:

To learn more about these schemes, you are invited to attend a ‘CAFRE – Supporting Your Farm Business’ event. These will be held on each of CAFRE’s campuses on the following dates:

Date and time Venue Location
2pm – 4pm
Tuesday  26 November
7pm – 9pm
Tuesday  26 November 		CAFRE
Greenmount
Conference Hall 		Greenmount
Campus
Antrim
BT41 4PS
7pm-9pm
Thursday 28 November   		CAFRE
Enniskillen
Conference Hall 		Enniskillen Campus
Enniskillen
BT74 4GF
7pm-9pm      
Tuesday 3 December 		CAFRE Loughry Innovation
Centre 		Loughry Campus
Cookstown
BT80 9AE

Spot anyone you know on BBC 2?

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A new BBC series, Mountain Vets, airs on Friday 15th November, 8pm.  It follows three County Down practices as they do what they do best.  Whilst we suspect that most visitors to the VetNI site know what happens in a vet practice on a day-to-day basis (!) why not tune in and see who you know?  Vets, vet nurses, reception staff and the wider practice team – all serving their local community with warmth and sensitivity.  The spectacular Mourne Mountains and County Down are shown in all their glory too so it won’t do NI tourism any harm! 

  • Programme Name: Mountain Vets – TX: n/a – Episode: Mountain Vets – ep 1 (No. 1) – Picture Shows: Downe Veterinary Clinic Maurice King – (C) Rare TV – Photographer: William Kelly
  • Programme Name: Mountain Vets – TX: n/a – Episode: Mountain Vets – ep 3 (No. 3) – Picture Shows: Castle Veterinary Surgery Martin Fitzpatrick – (C) Rare TV – Photographer: William Kelly
  • Programme Name: Mountain Vets – TX: n/a – Episode: Mountain Vets – ep 2 (No. 2) – Picture Shows: Downe Veterinary Clinic Rachel Frew – (C) Rare TV – Photographer: William Kelly
  • Programme Name: Mountain Vets – TX: n/a – Episode: Mountain Vets – ep 1 (No. 1) – Picture Shows: Tullyraine Equine Clinic Inge D’Haese, Samantha Hamilton – (C) Rare TV – Photographer: William Kelly
  • Programme Name: Mountain Vets – TX: n/a – Episode: Mountain Vets – ep 1 (No. 1) – Picture Shows: Downe Veterinary Clinic Hazel McKelvey – (C) Rare TV – Photographer: William Kelly
  • Programme Name: Mountain Vets – TX: n/a – Episode: Mountain Vets – generics (No. n/a) – Picture Shows: Tullyraine Equine Clinic Hugh Suffern – (C) Rare TV – Photographer: William Kelly
  • Programme Name: Mountain Vets – TX: n/a – Episode: Mountain Vets – generics (No. n/a) – Picture Shows: Downe Veterinary Clinic Miriam Campbell – (C) Rare TV – Photographer: William Kelly
  • Programme Name: Mountain Vets – TX: n/a – Episode: Mountain Vets – generics (No. n/a) – Picture Shows: Castle Veterinary Clinic Aidan O’Hare – (C) Rare TV – Photographer: William Kelly
  • Programme Name: Mountain Vets – TX: n/a – Episode: Mountain Vets – generics (No. n/a) – Picture Shows: Downe Veterinary Clinic Cahir King – (C) Rare TV – Photographer: William Kelly