Comments BVNA NEWS
BVNA President Lyndsay Hughes commented:“ Throughout the CMA investigation, BVNA has championed the role of veterinary nurses in delivering high-quality patient care and enhancing the relationship between the veterinary team, client and patient. Ultimately, veterinary nurses contribute significant and important value to veterinary businesses.
“ We welcomed the opportunity to respond to the CMA ' s draft remedies on behalf of our members. The working paper clearly demonstrates the efforts which have been made to understand the intricacies of the veterinary sector, and also to understand the caring and dedicated professionals working within it.
“ BVNA also welcomes the CMA ' s acknowledgement that veterinary nurses could – and should – be utilised more effectively, for the benefit of animal welfare and consumers, alongside veterinary teams and businesses. We are therefore encouraged by the recommendations specifically surrounding veterinary nurses, to include protection of the‘ veterinary nurse’ title, better clarification of the existing legislative framework, and future legislative reform to expand the RVN role – plus to regulate veterinary practices.
“ However, in formulating this joint response, we have also provided the veterinary nursing voice throughout all other areas of the package of potential remedies. We have shared our concerns with the CMA surrounding the overall proportionality and potential unintended consequences of these proposed measures, which could include increased costs to clients and, in turn, a negative impact on animal health and welfare. We have urged the CMA to reconsider these measures to ensure they are achievable and proportionate.
“ BVNA will continue to provide a strong and clear voice for its members and the veterinary nursing profession throughout the remainder of the CMA investigation.”
Further reading
To read all BVNA ' s responses in relation to the CMA investigation, plus related resources, visit:
https:// bvna. org. uk / project / competition-andmarkets-authority /
Volume 40( 4) • August 2025
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