A roundup of recent news from the BVNA website

BVNA broadly welcomes Defra proposals for VSA reform

Also in March, BVNA published its response to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs( Defra) consultation outlining proposed reforms to the outdated Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966( VSA).

BVNA has called for reformed veterinary legislation for decades, to reflect the capability and skills of the veterinary nursing profession today – protecting the‘ veterinary nurse’ title, clarifying the legal boundaries of the role to enable greater use of veterinary nurses ' skills, and opening up clear career pathways and routes to future progression. This consultation represents a key step towards reformed legislation becoming a reality.

BVNA responds to the CMA ' s final decision report

In March, the Competition and Markets Authority( CMA) published its final decision report, outlining the outcomes of its investigation into the provision of veterinary services in the UK.

Representing the veterinary nursing profession, BVNA has engaged extensively with the CMA throughout its investigation. BVNA broadly welcomes the proposed measures, which include the introduction of legally binding orders to improve transparency and support clients in understanding and navigating veterinary care.

BVNA particularly welcomes measures to support both clients and veterinary teams, especially where they improve transparency, strengthen communication and enable more informed decision-making. BVNA will be developing resources to support its members with the implementation of these orders over the coming months.

BVNA welcomes Defra ' s ongoing work towards a reformed VSA and broadly supports the proposals, which include:

• Greater professional recognition for veterinary nurses, including protection of the title and opportunities to enhance the role in future

• A modernised licence to practise regime for veterinary professionals

• A more forward-thinking and proactive approach to fitness to practise, with a greater range of sanctions available to the regulator

• Regulation of veterinary businesses, rather than solely of individual veterinary professionals

• Regulation of the wider veterinary team, including currently unregulated allied veterinary professionals

• A modernised approach to governance and structure of the regulator.

Read the full article and BVNA President Sarah Holliday ' s response

https:// bvna. org. uk / blog / the-british-veterinary- nursing-association-responds-to-competition- and-markets-authority-final-decision-report- surrounding-uk-veterinary-sector /

Read the full article and BVNA President Sarah Holliday ' s response

https:// bvna. org. uk / blog / the-british- veterinary-nursing-association-responds-to- uk-government-consultation-on-reform-of- the-veterinary-surgeons-act-1966 /

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