The outstanding contribution of Sue Badger to the veterinary nursing profession has been recognised with an RCVS VN Council Golden Jubilee Award. The presentation was made to the VNJ’s editor-in-chief at RCVS Day – the Colleges AGM and awards day – which was held on 6th July, at the Royal College of Physicians in London.

The Golden Jubilee Award was introduced in 2011 to celebrate 50 years of VN training, and recognise exceptional contributions to the veterinary nursing profession and animal welfare.

In presenting her with the award, president Jerry Davies praised Sue’s dedication to her profession, saying,

‘Her integrity and insight into not only the historical aspect of nursing but also its future, has gained her the respect of those across the whole of the veterinary profession.’ □

New VN Council line-up

RCVS Day is also when those newly elected to VN Council take up their seats. This year there were two candidates elected, Kathy Kissick, a returning member, and Elizabeth Figg, who joins Council for the first time. Both started new four-year terms and were welcomed by Jerry Davies.

From left: Jerry Davies, Sue Badger and Kathy Kissick

He also thanked Tanya Caley for her contribution to VN Council, as she stood down after completing a one-year term. Penny Swindlehurst was reappointed as a lay member for a further four-year term.

Kathy now takes over as chairman of VN Council from Liz Branscombe, who has held the role for three years. Liz becomes one of the two vice-chairmen and also takes over the role of financial liaison officer from Kathy; meanwhile, Colonel Neil Smith will become the second vice-chairman.

In announcing this changeover, president Jerry Davies thanked Liz Branscombe for all her hard work on behalf of VN Council, saying that as they (coincidentally) work in the same practice, ‘I have been able to witness, at first hand, the time, dedication and attention to detail that Liz has applied to the benefit of the veterinary nursing profession.’

The new RCVS Council Officers also took their seats at RCVS Day, as follows: president, Jacqui Molyneux; vice-presidents, Jerry Davies and Neil Smith; treasurer, Bradley Viner.

Diplomas in Advanced Veterinary Nursing were also presented on the day, with 13 nurses receiving their DipAVN (Small Animal). 

Facts and figures

We have now published RCVS Facts, part two of our annual report, which includes facts and figures about the veterinary nursing and veterinary professions, together with our summarised accounts.

As of 1st April 2012;

•   there were 1,766 VN training practices and 47 centres

•   30 per cent of student candidate registrations were in Higher Education

•   there were 10,097 veterinary nurses on the RCVS List/Register, of which 88 per cent were registered.

The full document can be downloaded from www.rcvs.org.uk/facts Part one of the annual report, RCVS Review, which includes an article by Dr Anne Torgersen about veterinary nursing activities in Europe, can also be downloaded, from www.rcvs.org.uk/review. 

Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 27 • August 2012 •