Author Archives: Amber Tennant

Government calls for views on mandatory cat microchipping

The government has launched a call for evidence on cat microchipping as part of plans that could help reunite lost cats with their owners, tackle pet theft and identify cats injured or killed on roads.

The government is seeking to find out what the effect of mandatory cat microchipping would be on owners, rescue and rehoming centre’s and cats themselves. In particular they’re looking for evidence on the benefits and drawbacks of requiring owners to microchip their cats, how microchipping could help fix problems, how they could make, check and enforce rules and any exemptions they should consider.

This consultation closes at 5pm on 4 January 2020. If you would like to contribute to the call for evidence you can do so by emailing animalwelfare.consultations@defra.gov.uk or writing to: Animal Welfare Team, Area 2D Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR.

These 10 tips will help you stay safe as the clocks go back…

As the clocks go back and the nights draw in, we want to emphasise the importance of staying safe in the dark and ensuring you’re visible when you’re travelling at night.

For veterinary nurses, SVNs and others working in the profession, this is especially important when you’re working night shifts in practice and need to travel to and from work.

Read on to check out all of our top tips…

Check all your car or bike lights are working fully before the darker nights set in. Particularly check your fog lights, as it may be some time since you have used them.
If you’re cycling or walking to work after dark or in poor visibility (eg foggy or overcast days) you should wear bright, reflective clothing and tape to draw drivers’ attention.
Be aware that other road users may not be taking steps to make themselves visible. Look out for them; better use of your lights will help you see and avoid others.
Make sure you keep blankets, a torch and basic safety equipment in your car in case you break down in adverse weather conditions.
Don’t forget about your dogs! Hi-Vis dog leads and flashing collars will help your dog to be seen in the dark.
Be aware of your surroundings when walking in the dark. Take out your earphones and be conscious of using your phone in dark areas.
Make plans for your journeys and ensure you know who you will be travelling with. If you plan to take a taxi, either book it in advance or get one from the taxi rank.
Be mindful that some of you or your colleagues may feel different during darker months. Seasonal Affective Disorder (also known as ‘winter depression’) can cause people to feel low or lethargic due to the reduced exposure to sunlight. It usually takes around 3 days for your body to adjust to the clock change. You may feel more tired and have difficulty concentrating until you adjust to the extra hour in the day, however if you feel consistently low and are struggling to cope please visit your GP.
Try to get outside during daylight hours. Cold dark days can impact your mood so spend time outside during brighter hours.
Don’t forget to set your alarm clocks! It can be even more difficult to get up and out of bed when it’s still dark outside. Make sure you set a few different alarms and ensure you leave enough time to defrost your car before setting off for work or college.

These 10 tips will help you stay safe as the clocks go back…

As the clocks go back and the nights draw in, we want to emphasise the importance of staying safe in the dark and ensuring you’re visible when you’re travelling at night.

For veterinary nurses, SVNs and others working in the profession, this is especially important when you’re working night shifts in practice and need to travel to and from work.

Read on to check out all of our top tips…

Check all your car or bike lights are working fully before the darker nights set in. Particularly check your fog lights, as it may be some time since you have used them.
If you’re cycling or walking to work after dark or in poor visibility (eg foggy or overcast days) you should wear bright, reflective clothing and tape to draw drivers’ attention.
Be aware that other road users may not be taking steps to make themselves visible. Look out for them; better use of your lights will help you see and avoid others.
Make sure you keep blankets, a torch and basic safety equipment in your car in case you break down in adverse weather conditions.
Don’t forget about your dogs! Hi-Vis dog leads and flashing collars will help your dog to be seen in the dark.
Be aware of your surroundings when walking in the dark. Take out your earphones and be conscious of using your phone in dark areas.
Make plans for your journeys and ensure you know who you will be travelling with. If you plan to take a taxi, either book it in advance or get one from the taxi rank.
Be mindful that some of you or your colleagues may feel different during darker months. Seasonal Affective Disorder (also known as ‘winter depression’) can cause people to feel low or lethargic due to the reduced exposure to sunlight. It usually takes around 3 days for your body to adjust to the clock change. You may feel more tired and have difficulty concentrating until you adjust to the extra hour in the day, however if you feel consistently low and are struggling to cope please visit your GP.
Try to get outside during daylight hours. Cold dark days can impact your mood so spend time outside during brighter hours.
Don’t forget to set your alarm clocks! It can be even more difficult to get up and out of bed when it’s still dark outside. Make sure you set a few different alarms and ensure you leave enough time to defrost your car before setting off for work or college.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Supporting Yourself and Others

Domestic violence affects millions of people, both women and men, of every race, religion, culture and status. On average, the police in England and Wales alone receive over 100 calls relating to domestic abuse every hour.* Read on to learn more about the signs of domestic abuse, including where to go for help if you need it and how to support others.

Warning signs of an abusive relationship

We all have arguments with our partners and family members occasionally, and sometimes we say or do hurtful things that we later regret and apologise for. But if this behaviour is becoming a regular pattern, then it may be a sign of domestic abuse.

Abuse comes in many different forms and includes more than just physical violence. It’s stalking, manipulation, yelling, humiliation, coercion, threats and isolation. It can also be stealing a pay check, checking phones and social networks or calling someone stupid so often they believe it. The common trait is that it’s always about having control and power over the other person.

If you’ve ever felt afraid of your partner/family member, or changed your behavior because you’re afraid of what they might say or do, you may be experiencing domestic violence.

Ask yourself whether your partner or family member does any of the following to you. If you answer yes to any of them, you may be in an abusive relationship…

Abuse	Signs
Emotional abuse	• Deliberately belittles or humiliates you alone as well as in front of others • Decides what you wear or eat, or how you spend your money • Unfairly accuses you of flirting or cheating • Stops you from going to work or school • Makes unreasonable demands for your attention • Isolates you from seeing your friends and family • Blames you for his or her abusive behavior or violent outbursts
Physical abuse	• Hurts you physically (e.g hitting, beating, punching, pushing, kicking, choking, biting) including with a weapon • Throws things at you
Threats and intimidation	• Threatens to hurt you, your children, other loved ones, your pets or themselves • Harasses or follows you • Stands over you or invades your personal space • Destroys things that belong to you
Sexual abuse	• Touches you in a way you don’t want to be touched • Make unwanted sexual demands • Hurts you during sex • Forces you to have sex when you don’t want to • Pressures you to have unprotected sex • Controls your birth control or insists that you get pregnant
Financial abuse	• Controls your money, or refuses to give you enough money to buy food or other essential items • Requires you to account for everything you spend • Limits your access to your own or shared bank accounts
Online abuse	• Checks your phone, email or social networks without your permission or insists they monitor and have access to your passwords/online activity

If you think you may be in an abusive relationship, it’s important to remember that you’re not responsible for your partner or family member’s behaviour, you don’t deserve to be treated this way despite what they may say and you don’t need to stay silent in fear of the person who is hurting you. There are many people who can offer support and help keep you and your loved ones safe.

What to do if you decide to seek help

You don’t need to wait until you’re in immediate danger or in an emergency situation to seek help. If you decide you want to tell someone and gain some advice and support, you can do so by:

Speaking to your doctor, health advisor or midwife
Calling a helpline
- Women can call the free 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247
- Men can call the Men’s Advice Line free on 0808 801 0327 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) or ManKind on 01823 334 244
In an emergency, call 999

If you’re worried about how you will support yourself if you decide to leave your partner or cut ties with a family member, Women’s Aid provides a free handbook providing practical support and guidance on every aspect of seeking support; including legal rights, money issues, supporting children, health, well being and much more.

How to help others who may be in an abusive relationship

If you’re worried someone you know is in an abusive relationship, let them know you’ve noticed something is wrong and you’re there to help them if they ever need it. It’s not your place to tell them to leave the relationship if they’re not ready to do so – it’s their decision. However, you can be there for them as a friend and help them in lots of ways if they confide in you:

Listen without judgement
Tell them nobody deserves to be treated in the way they’re being treated, despite what the abuser has said
Ask if they have suffered physical harm and go with them to a hospital or GP if needed
Help them report their abuser to the police if they choose to do so
Encourage them to talk about their feelings and experiences, but don’t push them if they don’t want to
Provide information on organisations who can help if needed

Sources

This article has been informed by the following sources, where you can find further information about domestic violence:

Training as an SQP: FAQs

Following the launch of our VetSkill VTEC Level 4 Award for Animal Medicines Advisors (SQP – Companion Animal) qualification, you may have a number of questions about the role of an SQP and the training process. Here, we answer them…

What is an SQP and what do they do?

A Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) is an animal medicine advisor who is qualified to prescribe and/or supply certain veterinary medicines under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations.

The role of the SQP is to:

Ensure that statutory requirements in respect of the prescription and/or supply of certain veterinary medicines are respected
Advise animal owners on choice of medicine and their safe and effective use, irrespective of how the product is supplied e.g. via postal supply, from a registered retailer premises or from a website etc

What medicines can SQPs prescribe and/or supply?

An SQP is entitled to prescribe and/or supply the categories of medicines within the scope of the qualification they have achieved and the registration they hold. Below are the distribution classifications for the range of veterinary medicines available to SQPs:

NFA-VPS- (Non-Food Animal – Veterinarian, Pharmacist, SQP)
POM-VPS – (Prescription-Only Medicine – Veterinarian, Pharmacist, SQP)
AVM-GSL – (Authorised Veterinary Medicine – General Sales List)

Learners will undertake study for each SQP qualification they wish to achieve. Completion of each qualification, in turn, allows SQP registration for its relevant category. Provided they are qualified to do so, SQPs may register for multiple categories.

All SQPs will undertake a common base unit and will then select additional units depending on the category of SQP qualification they want to achieve. The different units are:

C – Companion Animal
J – Equines
L – Farm Animal
A – Avians

Below is a table detailing the SQP categories and the permissible medicines they can dispense:

SQP Category	Unit (s) passed	Permissible Medicines
R-SQP	All (Companion, Equine & Farm)	All VPS Medicines
C-SQP	Companion	VPS – Companion animals only
J-SQP	Equines	VPS – Equines only
L-SQP	Farm	VPS – Farm animals only
A-SQP	Avians	VPS – Avian only
E-SQP	Companion & Equines	VPS – Companion & Equines only
K-SQP	Companion & Farm	VPS – Companion & Farm only
CA-SQP	Companion & Avians	VPS – Companion & Avians only
G-SQP	Equines & Farm	VPS – Equines & Farm only
JA-SQP	Equines & Avian	VPS – Equines & Avians only
EA-SQP	Companion, Equines & Avians	VPS – Companion, Equines & Avians only

Why qualify as an SQP?

There are a number of benefits to training as an SQP…

Boost career prospects in practice: Obtaining Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) status will boost your credentials and help you to stand out against other candidates when applying for jobs in the future, as you will understand the importance of looking after medicines properly and will be up-to-date with relevant legislation.
Improve efficiency in a veterinary practice: Having a designated, qualified person in charge of a veterinary practice dispensary can improve dispensary tidiness, stock control and implementation of protocols, and so help to reduce errors.
Gain SQP status faster as a veterinary nurse: Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) looking to undertake the VetSkill SQP qualification will be eligible for exemptions from relevant parts of the qualification.

More information about the VetSkill VTEC Level 4 Award for Animal Medicines Advisors (SQP – Companion Animal)

Completion of the VetSkill Level 4 companion animal SQP qualification at The College of Animal Welfare will allow you to join the VetSkill SQP register, qualifying you to prescribe and dispense POM-VPS and NFA-VPS medicines to companion animals.

The programme covers:

Legislation and Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) Status for the Supply of veterinary Medicines
Companion Animal Health for the Suitably Qualified Persons (SQP)
Prescribing and Supplying Veterinary Medicines for Companion Animals

The course is delivered via distance learning, meaning you can start at any time and study from anywhere in the UK or overseas!

Want to become an SQP? Apply today!

The VetSkill VTEC Level 4 Award for Animal Medicines Advisors (SQP – Companion Animal) qualification is available to study now. For more information about the programme visit our website or contact us on 01480 422060.

Why study the VetSkill Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal)?

Following the announcement of our move to awarding body VetSkill for all new companion animal diploma veterinary nursing students starting from January 2020, you may be wondering why you should study the new qualification.

Here, we go through the many benefits of studying the VetSkill Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal):

Employer-led learning

The qualification has been developed following consultation with training providers, veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to ensure it is fit for purpose and produces veterinary nurses with the necessary skills and competences required in today’s veterinary practice.

Streamlined content

The programme supports learners by focussing on the practical RCVS Day-One Skills and Competences and underpinning knowledge relevant to the role of the Registered Veterinary Nurse, whilst encouraging a holistic approach to nursing in the profession. Throughout the programme, you will undertake the following units:

Professional Veterinary Nursing Responsibilities
Diagnostic Principles
Principles of Veterinary Nursing Care 1
Pharmacology and Dispensary Management
Practical Veterinary Nursing Skills 1
Anaesthesia and Theatre Nursing Skills
Life Stage Nursing Care and Support
Principles of Veterinary Nursing Care 2
Surgical Nursing and Patient Care
Practical Veterinary Nursing Skills 2

You may notice there is not a unit dedicated to Anatomy and Physiology. Instead, this is embedded throughout each of the units to encourage sequential and practical learning.

Embedded SQP training

Embedded within the qualification is the training required for students to become a Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) for companion animals, allowing candidates to register for both RVN and SQP-C status on the successful achievement of the required assessments.

Embraced technology

An e-Portfolio is completed by students to evidence their practical competence against the RCVS Day One skills.

Applications to start the VetSkill Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal) in January 2020 from all of our centres are open now.

If you have any further questions about the new qualification or VN training please do not hesitate to get in touch by calling us on 01480 422060 or emailing admin@caw.ac.uk.

Apply to start training as a veterinary nurse this January

VetSkill Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal) – FAQs

Following the announcement of our move to awarding body VetSkill for new student veterinary nurses starting from January next year, you may be looking for more information about the VetSkill Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Companion Animal).

Here, we discuss the course in more detail and answer common questions you may have…

Who are VetSkill?

VetSkill is an Ofqual and CCEA approved awarding organisation and professional regulatory body, offering a growing portfolio of qualifications for delivery by approved centres. VetSkill is authorised by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) as a regulatory body to maintain a register for Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs) to prescribe and supply veterinary medicines classified as POM-VPS and NFA-VPS. You can read more about VetSkill’s work on their website.

Is the VetSkill qualification approved by the RCVS?

In May 2018, the qualification was given official provisional accreditation by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) as a Licence to Practice qualification. Students achieving this qualification may apply to join the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses.