NEWSLETTER
BVNA NEWS ( Continued )
BVNA publishes response to CMA Issues Statement
As you will no doubt be aware , the Competition and Markets Authority ( CMA ) is conducting a market investigation � into veterinary services for household pets . BVNA is one of the main parties to the investigation ; you can find more information about our engagement so far at our dedicated website page � .
BVNA President Lyndsay Hughes commented : “ BVNA welcomed the opportunity to respond to this consultation from the CMA . Throughout the CMA ’ s ongoing market investigation , BVNA has championed the integral role of the veterinary nurse within both animal welfare and client care , along with the significant value this role brings to veterinary practice .
“ We are particularly encouraged that the CMA is continuing to consider the outdated legislation surrounding the veterinary sector , and will continue to call for expansion of the veterinary nursing role along with protection of its title . We will continue to work with the CMA to inform its Inquiry Group ’ s understanding of the sector , and the potential impact of its proposed remedies .”
BVNA has been asked by the CMA to help them to identify a small number of our RVN members who are willing and available to join a virtual roundtable ( via Teams ) for veterinary nurses on Monday 23rd September 2024 from 11.00am to 12.30pm . Look out for our summary on how the event went on our dedicated webpage : https :// bvna . org . uk / project / competition-and-marketsauthority / �
BVNA VN Profession Survey 2024
Thank you to everyone who responded to the survey , it has been valuable to collect the data as a snapshot of the VN profession in 2024 . There will be a summary report launched at BVNA Congress with the key findings identifying challenges facing the profession at this time . One of the areas of concern is retention and recruitment , and with 49 % of respondents anticipating leaving clinical practice in the next 5 years it is clear to see how veterinary practices are struggling to fill their vacancies .
With BVNA leading the ‘ Protect the Title ’ campaign ; it is disappointing to see that the numbers of respondents who know someone that is called ‘ veterinary nurse ’ without having completed the training , has in fact increased from 48 % to 53 % since our Protect the Title survey in 2022 . Whilst we know that conversations have been taking place in practices about how they refer to staff , it is evident there is still a long way to go .
BVNA feels that this demonstrates yet again , the need for the title , ‘ veterinary nurse ’ to be protected . Members of the public will assume that their veterinary nurse has completed the training , is qualified and regulated , and it appears that this is not the case .
We would urgently call for this to be addressed alongside further discussion within the industry to ratify this misconception .
SUPPORTING ONE HEALTH
BVNA are once again supporting the Antibiotic Amnesty which takes place in November . BVNA will join RUMA Companion Animal & Equine and many other organisations in encouraging people to return unused or out-of-date antimicrobials to participating veterinary practices and pharmacies . Find out more about the campaign and how your practice can get involved at https :// rumacae . org . uk / vet-antibioticamnesty �
BVNA will also join the Scottish Antimicrobial Nursing Group ( SANG ) in highlighting World Antimicrobial Resistance ( AMR ) Awareness Week ( WAAW ) on 18 – 24 November 2024 . This is a global campaign to increase awareness and understanding of AMR among One Health stakeholders . This year ’ s theme is “ Educate . Advocate . Act now .” and there will be a combined campaign across veterinary and human health . You can find out more about WAAW at : https :// www . who . int / campaigns / worldamr-awareness-week �
6 The News from British Veterinary Nursing Association | Issue 7 September 2024