Personal losses and professional gains

May was a very sad month for the veterinary nursing profession, The Veterinary Nurse and for me. Early in May we lost Louise O'Dwyer and at the end of the month Lorraine Allan died after a short illness. Both Louise and Lorraine (see Lorraine's Obituary in this issue p.228) were fierce advocates of the veterinary nursing profession. They both knew the vital role played by veterinary nurses within the veterinary team. And they were both involved with nurse education and encouraged an evidence-based approach.

Happily, there continues to be growing support for the veterinary nursing profession within the UK — a greater appreciation of what nurses do and are capable of doing. In its new Vet-led Team concept, which was published last month, the BVA have made numerous recommendations for progressing the veterinary nursing profession. Their proposed model is based on an interdisciplinary group of appropriately trained and regulated professionals working together under the direction of the veterinary surgeon. It is not a new concept, but the BVA believes it is growing in prominence and importance. They make nine recommendations for the expansion of the role of RVNs.