INTRODUCTION AND HISTORICAL SITUATION

For the last 100 years the North of Ireland Veterinary association (NIVA) has been providing representation for and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for the profession in the province.  The NIVA is also the territorial division of the BVA which also represents the profession in the UK.

For over 50 years the Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in Northern Ireland (AVSPNI) has been providing a similar service for the Practising arm of the profession in the province. The AVSPNI is a totally independent organisation but works in reasonably close cooperation with the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS)

The Northern Ireland region of the BSAVA also provides CPD in the province for those working in the Companion Animal field.  All financial resources of the BSAVA are controlled by the parent national body

The North of Ireland Veterinary Educational Trust is a charity established in the province many years ago and their remit is to provide CPD in the Province.

VETERINARY NORTHERN IRELAND

In 2005 following extensive consultation through NIVA and AVSPNI and BSAVA (NI) Veterinary Northern Ireland (VetNI) was established to provide a secretariat for all the veterinary and nursing bodies in the province.  The primary reason for establishing VetNI was to provide continuity of representation and also to encourage greater cooperation between the veterinary bodies in the province.  The other major reason for VetNI is the difficulty in recruiting volunteers from within the profession to carry out the necessary administration duties required to “manage” the profession in the province.

Approximately half of the cost of providing VetNI is currently being met by Lord Ballyedmond but from 2010 if VetNI is to continue to provide back up administration for the profession it will be necessary for the full cost to be born by the profession.  

In order to look at how this might be achieved, and to carry out a review of the structure of the various associations, the level of co-operation between them and how best to improve on the current situation, an Integration Working Group was set up.  This comprises representatives of NIVA, AVSPNI, BSAVA (NI) and VetNI, and is charged with debating the merits or otherwise of further integration of the profession in Northern Ireland, and presenting the membership of the associations with a concrete proposal before their next AGMs (Dec/Jan 2008/2009).  No changes will be implemented without the approval of the membership of those associations concerned.

The Integration Working Group will present their findings for discussion and debate in the Autumn. 

Meeting Dates:
19th March 2008
23rd April 2008 - Presentation by Peter Bishton of Veterinary Ireland
28th May 2008
23rd June 2008
1st September 2008