During BVNA Congress 2026, we were joined by an expert panel of speakers to explore the work undertaken towards reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, led by Defra over the past two years.
We are delighted to share the recording of this panel discussion with BVNA members, titled “Veterinary Surgeons Act reform: A veterinary nursing profession ready for the future”.
Reform of this legislation matters. To veterinary nursing, the entire veterinary sector, and to animal welfare.
Providing the voice of UK veterinary nursing as a key stakeholder within this process, BVNA has ensured our members have been heard loud and clear. Thanks to BVNA’s input, Defra proposals for new legislation include the professional recognition veterinary nurses deserve, such as:
- Protection of the ‘veterinary nurse’ title
- A clearer scope of practice, enabling veterinary nurses to more fully utilise their skills and work to the full extent of their competence
- The potential for future expansion of the scope of the veterinary nursing role
- A clearer authority and stronger voice in the future regulatory framework.
So where do we go from here?
Available exclusively to BVNA members and BVNA Congress 2026 delegates, this recording covers the progress made in the past 12 months, the next steps towards making new legislation a reality, and what a reformed Veterinary Surgeons Act could mean for veterinary nursing in the UK.
Thank you to our speakers who took part in this session;
- Sarah Holliday, then BVNA President (now Senior Vice President)
- Jimmy Lindqvist, Defra Head of Veterinary Policy
- Wendy Nevins, past BVNA President 2017-19
- Marie Rippingale, Chair of the BEVA Equine Nurses Committee
- Gwen Rees, BVA President
- (Chair) Lyndsay Hughes, then BVNA Senior Vice President
BVNA members can access the recording here.
More information on how we are representing BVNA members within Veterinary Surgeons Act reform can be found here.