By now you should have received an updated copy of the RCVS List of Veterinary Nurses Incorporating the Register of Veterinary Nurses 2010, which was reprinted and re-issued towards the end of May, owing to printing errors. Once you get your new copy, please recycle the old one!

Although the data held on the RCVS List/ Register are accurate, an error occurred when they were handled at the printers, which caused the names of at least 70 listed or registered veterinary nurses to be omitted. There were also errors with respect to restoration dates appearing next to the entries for some nurses. We apologise for any inconvenience that this may have caused you.

The most up-to-date information is available online at www.rcvs.org.uk/VNlist

Join us for RCVS Day

RCVS Day – the College’s AGM and awards Ceremony – will take place on Friday 2 July 2010, at One Great George Street, Westminster, London. Come along and support veterinary nurses as they are presented with their Diplomas.

As well as recognising the achievements of veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, the event will see Peter Jinman take up his office as RCVS president for 2010-2011, and new members will be welcomed to the RCVS Council and the Veterinary Nurses’ Council.

Professor Roger Short, FRS FRCVS, from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Australia, will give a talk entitled, ‘The way ahead for the veterinary profession in a warming world’.

All listed/registered veterinary nurses are welcome to attend the day, which includes lunch. To apply for tickets, which are free, please contact Lydia Meakin on 0207 202 0773 or l.meakin@rcvs.org.uk by 18 June.

First VN on RCVS Council

For the first time, a registered veterinary nurse has been appointed to RCVS Council – Andrea Jeffery.

The composition of the RCVS Council is dictated by the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 –   24 elected veterinary surgeons, two representatives from each of the six approved veterinary schools and four Privy Council appointees (usually three lay people and the Chief Veterinary Officer).

Within this mix, there has no t, thus far, been a place for a veterinary nurse. However, the vet school representatives do not both have to be veterinary surgeons, and the University of Bristol has appointed Andrea, who will take up her place during RCVS Day on 2 July.

Andrea Jeffrey makes a point

A past chairman of VN Council, Andrea is programme director of the Veterinary Nurses and Bioveterinary Science Programme at the University of Bristol. Liz Branscombe continues as chairman of the Veterinary Nursing Council, and makes a report to RCVS Council each time it sits – in March, June and November.

“I am very grateful to Bristol for being forward-thinking and enabling a veterinary nurse to sit on the RCVS Council in this way" says Andrea.“This opportunity gives veterinary nursing a voice on the RCVS Council and recognises the growing maturity we have as a profession, and the contribution of veterinary nurses to the practice team. I look forward to supporting the work of Liz and the Veterinary Nurses Council".

Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 25 • No6 • June 2010 •