During its recent annual Congress, the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) welcomed its new Council members starting their three-year term, plus its new Officer team for the coming year. As BVNA President for a second term, which will include BVNA’s 60^th year in 2025, Lyndsay Hughes called for the VN profession to “continue to build each other up”, under her ongoing presidential theme of ‘Progression’.

In her address during BVNA’s annual general meeting, Lyndsay said: ““My theme for my 2023-4 Presidential year was ‘Progression’. This is important for the development of ourselves and each other as individuals, but all coming together as a collective to progress our great profession.

“[BVNA has] decided to continue with the theme of ‘Progression’ in 2025; we feel this continues to encompass what we as an association are striving to achieve this year. We are looking to continue to raise awareness with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) about the role of veterinary nurses, what we should be doing and what we could be doing, especially when we start to look at regulatory reform. As always, we continue to raise awareness of the need to protect our title.

“I stand before you again this year, asking the same of you as I did last year – this is your profession, and I will dutifully stand and serve you and speak on your behalf, as loudly as I can and wherever I can. But – I need every single one of you to engage with the work being undertaken. Whether that is by me, the association or by engaging with anything that can impact you as a veterinary nurse. You have the power to help make the changes, we are stronger together and always will be.

“The progression of our profession touches so many elements. This could be leadership, this could be clinic development, QI, non-clinical roles, it can even be as I’ve just mentioned the progression of our mindset. Progression can be so very much, but what it should do is make us look at what we could be doing better for ourselves and those around us. For those that are already developing each other and supporting progression of veterinary nurses, then we must celebrate you and share your experiences to help others.”

BVNA Charity of the Year 2024-5

Lyndsay continued to introduce BVNA’s Charity of the Year for 2024-5, the Daphne Shipman Benevolent Fund, set up in memory of veterinary nurse Daphne Shipman. Daphne was the Chief Steward for BVNA Congress for many years. Sadly, after living with cancer, Daphne passed away in June 1999. The fund has since been made available to BVNA members with the objective of supporting members, their spouses, relations or dependents who are in need, hardship or distress.

Incoming Officer team and new Council members

BVNA also ratified its new Officer team for 2024-5, alongside incoming BVNA Council Members:

BVNA Officer team for 2024-5

• President – Lyndsay Hughes RVN
• Junior Vice President – Sarah Holliday RVN
• Honorary Treasurer – Nikki McLeod RVN
• Honorary Secretary – Steph Worsley RVN

Incoming BVNA Council members

• Simone Bennett RVN
• Hamish Morrin RVN
• Helen Stewart RVN

Lyndsay also paid tribute and thanks to the retiring members of BVNA Council for their contributions both to BVNA and the wider VN profession – Kim Rathbone RVN, Rebecca Winter RVN, and Bronwyn Bailey RVN.

Honorary membership awarded to Nicholas Taylor RVN

The Association also awarded its latest honorary membership to Nicholas Taylor RVN (pictured). Nick embarked on his veterinary nursing career in 1985, working predominantly in small animal and mixed practices and hospitals. From 2002 he retrained as a Diagnostic Radiographer, working for the NHS for 18 years, before returning to a veterinary setting as a Referral Radiographer in 2020.

During this time, Nick also held the position of BVNA President between 1999-2000; notably receiving his honorary membership on the 25^th anniversary since the start of his own presidential term.

Nick has been a champion both for veterinary nurses and the BVNA throughout his career, having established an annual bursary for student veterinary nurses to enable them to attend BVNA Congress.