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The article reports on Electoral Reform Services' (ERS) reassurance that the 2012 election of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council in Great Britain was fair. On May 15, RCVS said that the ballot papers were designed and printed by ERS, but were not distributed by the independent body. In a letter by ERS senior consultant Adrian Wilkes to RCVS on May 1, he explained several aspects of the election, including internet voting, postal votes, and the number of voters.

The practice of evidence-based veterinary medicine involves the utilisation of scientific evidence for clinical decision making. To enable this, research topics pertinent to clinical practice need to be identified, and veterinary clinicians are best placed to do this. The main aim of this study was to describe the veterinary population, the common species and conditions veterinary clinicians nominated they saw in practice and how much information clinicians perceived was available in the literature for these. A questionnaire was distributed to all Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons registered veterinarians agreeing to be contacted for research purposes (n=14,532). A useable response rate of 33 per cent (4842/14,532) was achieved. The most commonly seen species reported by vets were dogs, cats and rabbits followed by equines and cattle. Overall, skin conditions were most commonly mentioned for small animals, musculoskeletal conditions for equines and reproduction conditions for production animals. Veterinary clinicians perceived there was a higher level of information available in the literature for conditions in dogs, cattle and equines and lower levels for rabbits and guinea pigs. The results from this study can be used to help define the research needs of the profession to aid the incorporation of evidence in veterinary practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the proposal of Bob Partridge, a newly elected member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Council (RCVS) in Great Britain, to regard all papers of the Council as open to members of the RCVS. Partridge also suggested that existing advice to Council members on the confidentiality of such documents should be revoked in the interest of furthering a wider discussion of college business among veterinarians. He said that full reasons for confidentiality should be given.

The article focuses on the complaint submitted before the Preliminary Investigation Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in Great Britain which alleges a veterinarian of negligence for failing to explain to a dog owner regarding the contraindication of the medicines that were prescribed. The alleged negligence resulted to the death of the dog and the committee had expressed concern on the action of the veterinarian even though no decision was made regarding the case.

The article offers information on the developments within the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in Great Britain. A new draft on the Veterinary Nursing By-Laws regarding a provision on the existing list of veterinary nurses (VNs) to be known as the Register was presented to and approved by the Council. Jacqui Molyneux, a new council member, aired her concern on the practice of unregistered VNs of wearing uniforms and badges when they should not be allowed to.

The lack of effectiveness of traditional models of continuing professional development is increasingly recognised. While they can lead to increased knowledge of participants, research suggests that there is a general failure to produce meaningful and sustained changes in clinician behaviours. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' (RCVS) new individual outcomes-focused approach to delivery of continuing professional development (CPD) through the reflective accounts of participant experiences. Content analysis of 12 summaries of their learning, produced by early pioneers of the Professional Key Skills (PKS) Module of the RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice, revealed that the benefits of the PKS-related professional development is best understood through 'a framework of 'stakeholder' dynamics', with impact and behavioural change at the individual participant level having an effect on practice team behaviours, leading to patient, owner and business benefits. It can be concluded that, at least for these early pioneers, this new model for CPD has resulted in changes that have gone beyond knowledge accumulation to changed practitioner behaviours and recognisable patient, owner and business benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the proposed restructuring of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) fellowship into a learned society in Great Britain. Fellowship Working Party chairman Gary England introduced a paper for proposed consultation on the fellowship. It also notes that issues which involve staffing cost and annual fees would be improved whenever the proposal is supported.

The article presents news briefs related to Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council in Great Britain including the changes occurred in the membership of RCVS Disciplinary Committee, the revised budget approved by the Council for 2012, and the legal advice received by RCVS on its jurisdiction.

The article offers information about the elections of candidates to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Council (RCVS) and the Veterinary Nurses Council in Great Britain. The Council is composed of 40 members and 24 are directly elected who will serve for a term of four years. The elections is under the Electoral Reform Services and eligible voters receive ballot papers containing instructions on how to vote.

The article reports that the corporate governance procedures of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) have been examined by an independent review group and have been found to be consistent with good practice in Great Britain. It states that the review group recommended that the guidance in the Council members' handbook for managing potential conflicts of interest should be reformulated as a code of conduct, which would be made available to everyone standing for election to the Council.

The article presents the ten candidates for election to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council for 2008. Four of the candidates are existing Council members and six new candidates are up for election. The candidates include Dr. Christopher Chesney, Dr. Bertie Ellis, and Mrs. Catherine Goldie.

Veterinary practices in the United Kingdom were surveyed to compare their surgical draping practices with Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) accreditation tier and other surgery-related factors. Using descriptive statistics and logistic or ordinal regression analysis (where appropriate), the relationships between draping material and accreditation tier and other surgery-related factors were assessed. Procedures were categorised as short or long. Two hundred and sixty-nine surveys were completed. Reusable drapes were used in 66 per cent of practices. Antibiotics were administered routinely in 38 per cent of short and 93 per cent of long procedures. Practices accredited as a Veterinary Hospital (VH) were 6.3--7.2 (short and long surgeries, respectively) times more likely to use disposable drapes, when compared with non-accredited practices. Use of dedicated surgical attire, draping the whole animal/table, and routine antibiotic usage were also positively correlated with disposable drape usage. Fifty-one per cent of practices rated infection rate as most important when choosing drape material. 'Best practice' techniques are associated with lower importance given to infection rate, and higher importance given to financial cost, when choosing drape material. Disposable drape use correlates with RCVS accreditation and with other aspects of surgical technique. Importance ratings awarded correlate with best practice procedures. Clinical relevance 'Best practice' draping procedures, that are not governed by RCVS accreditation scheme, are also more frequently performed in accredited VHs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the issue regarding the increase of retention fee as part of the budget plan for 2008 of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in Great Britain. The issue started when Roger Eddy of RCVS questioned the 5 percent recommended annual increase of retention fee. However, the Farm Animal Welfare Council agreed to increase the retention fees by only 3 percent.

The article offers news briefs related to veterinary medicine in Great Britain. The Royal College Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council has agreed to use the title veterinary nurse only to registered nurse. A subcommittee will be organized to help deal on the request whether an animal test or treatment is recognized veterinary practice. Lydia Brown, former president of RCVS was honored due to her valuable services to the Council.

Veterinary schools in the UK are required by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to ensure that their students have attained essential 'Day one' skills (DOS) by graduation. To aid students' understanding of how they could satisfy this requirement, the Royal Veterinary College produced a DOS guide, which was distributed in the 2007 to 2008 academic year to students in the third and fourth years of the professional veterinary course. The same students were surveyed towards the end of the 2008 to 2009 session about the guide, when they were in the fourth and final years, to rate its usefulness and to indicate their perceived levels of competence, both currently and expected at graduation. Focus group discussions were subsequently conducted to explore the findings of the survey. Responses from 88 fourth-year (39 per cent) and 174 (87 per cent) final-year students revealed that while almost all respondents were aware of the DOS guide, their use of it was low. Final-year students rated themselves as being more competent than fourth-year students, but were less optimistic about their expected level of competence regarding several invasive procedures, which some students considered to be 'unattainable' by graduation, despite the apparent value of extramural studies and intramural rotations in providing opportunities for learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides update on the activities of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council in Great Britain. A number of changes to the 2007 edition of the guide to professional conduct of the Council were agreed. College advice on the administration of vaccines to companion animals was reconsidered following a recent disciplinary committee case. The 2007 RCVS Day will take place on July 6.

The article presents the candidates for the 2015 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council elections in Great Britain, including Niall Connell, Joanna Dyer, and Tim Greet.

The article offers news briefs related to veterinarians in Great Britain. It announces that the Association of Greyhound Track Veterinarians (AGTV) was established which aims to address issues affecting the greyhound industry. The magazine expresses its gratitude to all reviewers of manuscripts found in its 2008 issue. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Trust is still accepting veterinary surgeons and nurses eligible for its grants for 2009 with deadline on January 21, 2009.

The article reports on the paper proposing changes to the Guide to Professional Conduct introduced by the Advisory Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in Great Britain. It states that the Council voted to accept the proposed changes, and it will be incorporated into the hard copy of the 2009 Guide. It says that among the changes accepted was an amendment to govern the operation of the RCVS Register of Veterinary Practice Premises.

The article reports on the results of the first Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) veterinary nursing examinations held using an electronic format of delivery. The results from the summer written exams for veterinary nurses were posted by the Royal College on August 14, 2008. According to the College, the pass rate from the examinations has been "excellent."

The article presents news briefs related to veterinary medicine in Great Britain. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeon response to a consultation paper on badger culling and bovine tuberculosis was considered and approved. It was suggested that the degree awarded by the college should continue to be accepted for registration purposes. The veterinary degrees awarded by the University of Sydney and University of Queensland should be subject to satisfactory monitoring.

Reports on issues related to the Competition Commission's recommendations regarding the standards for veterinary medicine practice in Great Britain. Proposals for the change to the "Guide to Professional Conduct" to accommodate the recommendations; Introduction of the supply of prescription-only veterinary medicines by Advisory Committee chairman Lynne Hill; Coverage of the proposed additions to the Guide to a selected recommendations of the commission.

The article provides a brief overview of the history of the journal. It notes that the journal was lunched in July 1888 as part of the efforts of the National Veterinary Association, now the British Veterinary Association, to be represented by a weekly professional journal. It also tackles trhe effort of William Hunting, the first editor, to make the journal both educative and informative, and his intention to include reports from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

The article offers information on the establishment of a new Veterinary Surgeons Act (VSA) working party. The working party is set to review the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) current package for proposals for the establishment of a new Act to ensure that it is committed to the measures that it needs. It also states that Stephen May supported the concept of a new working party, while Bob Moore also introduced a paper on the subject.

Focuses on the plans for a unified veterinary practice standards by the Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in Great Britain. Revision on the guidance for Named Veterinary Surgeons; Standards scheme for veterinary practices; Preparation for the ground on implementing the Competition Commission's recommendation.

The article announces honours and awards presented by the British Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) during the 2015 RCVS Day including the Queen's Medal to Ernest Jackson Lawson Soulsby, Honorary Fellowship to Nick Henderson and Honorary Associateship to Michael Francis.

This section offers Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) news briefs. RCVS Council agreed to recognise and recommend the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Bachelor of Veterinary Surgery (BVM BVS) degrees offered at the Nottingham veterinary school. The new Preliminary Investigation Committee for Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVN) chair Lynne Hill said they have training to prepare committee members for their role. The Council reports on the delay in Legislative Order allowing non-Council members to be appointed to RCVS Disciplinary Committee.

The article reports on the 2010 elections for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council wherein votes can be cast by text in Great Britain.

The article offers news briefs related to Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council in Great Britain. The Council approved new protocols for the dispatch of papers and minutes relating to committee and working group meetings. The RCVS Council president announces that 10 nominations had been received for 2010 elections to RCVS Council. The RCVS Council president announces that Tony Lawrence and Martin Shirley are the recipients of the honorary associateships of the RCVS.

The article reports that the 2010 election for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Veterinary Nurses (VN) Council in Great Britain is cancelled due to lack of nominations for the posts available.

The article offers news briefs at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council in Great Britain. Neil Gorman, chairman of the Advisory Committee states that the committee identifies different views on the issue of the 24-hour emergency cover provision. Jerry Davies, the Council's treasurer reports that they are opening bank accounts with several institutions. Lynne Hill, the chairman of the Preliminary Investigation Committee reports the appointment of veterinary investigators.

The article reports on the proposal for a structure and terms of reference for a Corporate Governance Committee by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in Great Britain. The RCVS agrees to form a committee that will look into its corporate governance procedures. The RCVS officials state that the committee should be composed of a veterinary surgeon to be its chairman who will choose his council members. However, other members of RCVS question the proposal to create a governance committee.

The article focuses on the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate in Great Britain. The RCVS discusses their responsibilities in terms of the registration and inspection of practice premises required by the Veterinary Medicines Regulations. The MOU requires RCVS inspectors conduct medicines inspection on behalf of the VMD under the Practice Standards Scheme.

The article focuses on the revised advice note from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Advisory Committee regarding domicialiary visits in Great Britain. The note aims to clarify guidelines on visits, whether they happened during or beyond normal working hours. Council member Barbara Saunders believes that there is a need for veterinary surgeons to consider clients' conditions when deciding a home visit. Bradley Viner states that small animal practices do not provide home visits.

The article reports that the result of the first veterinary nursing examination under the new syllabus, has been improved in the national pass rate. According to the reports of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in Great Britain, only seven percent taking the small animal veterinary nursing NVQ level 2 summer exams have failed. It is emphasized that the result of the exams has indicated that the syllabus had a positive impact.

The article presents news briefs concerning the Council of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) as of December 2006. There were concerns among Council members about the short notice given by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for consultation on the College's proposal to create a register. Two members of the board of directors of the BVA have offered themselves for re-election. The article also reports on the increase in the BVA's membership in 2006.

The article reports on the decision of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) to accredit veterinary nurses graduated from Bristol University to join the RCVS List of Veterinary Nurses (VNS) in Great Britain. RCVS allowed the veterinary nurses from the university to join VNS without having to achieve the VNS national vocational qualifications. The RCS said that they are satisfied that the university had enough quality assurance mechanism in place to allow direct accreditation.

Presents a news brief on the developments in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) council in Great Britain. Introduction to the new members of the council; Announcement for the RCVS Day 2006; Agreement between the council and the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council.

Report developments in the veterinary industry in Great Britain. Presentation of data on reports of Salmonella in livestock species by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency; Introduction to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Trust grants for 2006; Conducted study about irritants produced by human lifestyles on asthmatic cats.

Reports on issues related to membership to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in Great Britain. Agreements for an increase in the membership fee; Creation of new registration regulations; Rates for the membership according to category.

The article offers information on the oral history project "Veterinary Lives in Practice," initiated by Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the Centre for Rural Economy at Newcastle University. It reports that the project will record personal reflections of different generations of veterinary surgeons to create a national oral history resource.

The article reports on Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Registrar Gordon Hockey and his statement on changes to regulations on veterinary surgeon registration in Great Britain. These involve a credit system, member address and extra administration fees. An overview of the comments of members Bob Moore, Richard Stephenson and Barry Johnson on the issue is also presented.

The article presents the opinion of the members of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Council regarding their views on the proposal that the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) should develop its role as a scientific body and a source of informed and impartial opinion. BVA President Harvey Locke explained that the BVA Board had advised that the BVA should take action to protect its role as the primary source of informed veterinary opinion.

The article focuses on new registration regulations for veterinary surgeons agreed by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council in Great Britain in June 2010. The revised regulations require veterinary surgeons to confirm their practising status and address with the RCVS annually, otherwise they will be removed from the register. Also included is a provision to raise fees to be charged to those who pay after April 1 each year. Council members have debated on the revision citing issues of compliance and professionalism, among others.

THE effect of climate change on animal and human health was explored at a recent meeting organised jointly by the Royal Society of Medicine and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Delegates heard how human activity is influencing patterns of disease that will continue to evolve over many years, even if efforts are made to slow the pace of climate change. Issues such as the spread of vector-borne diseases and new emerging infections were discussed, and various suggestions were made for an integrated approach to managing these serious problems. INSET: Farming and the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Disciplinary Committee has concluded the case of Merseyside veterinary surgeon Leslie Higgott who worked in premises that were not kept clean, provided unsatisfactory care for a client's animal and ignored advice to improve his professional standards. Higgott faced two charges due to his approach to the treatment of an elderly springer spaniel and to his failure to act on the need to keep adequate clinical notes.

The article reports that the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has decided to take stock of the options on the Veterinary Surgeons Act in Great Britain. The decision follows Lord Rooker's submission to the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee inquiry into the need of the act. Rooker indicated that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was not in a position to develop the act.

The article highlights a report from the Veterinary Surgeons Act working party of the British Veterinary Association (BVA). It discusses the need for the BVA and the Royal College of Veterinary Medicine to work together towards a new Act. It has been noted that the British government had allocated no Parliamentary time for the purpose of a new Act during the present session.

The article announces the first Continuing Professional Development compliance audit of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in Great Britain.

The article reports on the proposed small-scale trial of an alternative disputes resolution (ADR) system in Great Britain for the support of the consumers of veterinary services in the country. With ADR, complaints outside the remit of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) will be resolved easily.