What is the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists? 
The Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists is an active, enthusiastic group of veterinary surgeons and others (e.g. researchers, technicians, pharmacologists) who share an interest in animal anaesthesia, analgesia and animal welfare. We hold meetings twice a year at various venues in Europe which are open to all those who share our common interest. The Association was established in 1964 to promote the study of, and research into, the subject of anaesthesia and analgesia in animals. It also publishes the Journal of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia and has been active in the founding of the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia. We are keen to promote collaboration between anaesthetists in all places, and actively encourage the establishment and taking of diplomas and degrees in veterinary anaesthesia.
The Association also has an educational Trust Fund to support training in anaesthesia.
The AVA has elected Sam McMillan, a qualified veterinary nurse who has achieved the VTS (anaesthesia) and an advanced medical diploma qualification to the AVA committee.
Sam was elected to the board at the Spring AVA meeting in Cambridge and her election reflects the increasing membership of AVA by veterinary nurses and anaesthesia technicians. She aims to champion the role of veterinary nurses in anaesthesia and make a significant contribution to developing the potential of veterinary nurses in this discipline. Sam is currently working as a specialist anaesthesia nurse at the University of Cambridge and is keen to hear from nurses and technicians about what you would like her to do as your representative. She will be setting up a separate webpage for veterinary nurses and technicians with a discussion forum also in development. Sam can be contacted by email.
AVA members: its time to have your say!
The role of veterinary nurses in veterinary anaesthesia in the UK is currently a high profile issue. The RCVS are discussing whether veterinary nurses should be allowed to carry out certain procedures (for example epidural administration of drugs). The AVA committee feel strongly that the AVA should be consulted on decisions about the role of veterinary nurses in anaesthesia from both a nurse and vet perspective. To this aim, Jackie Brearley has written to the RCVS about the issues of epidural anaesthesia and the wider issue of training of veterinary nurses in anaesthesia. The letter that was send to the RCVS as well as further information and a request for consultation from members about a City and Guilds qualification in anaesthesia can be downloaded / is available from the AVA info page
Dr. Leslie Hall (1927-2010)
Dr Leslie Hall, often known as the ‘father of veterinary anaesthesia’ died on April 20th, 2010, after a long illness. His contribution to veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia as scientist, clinician, teacher and author was enormous, and a detailed appreciation of his work will be published in the next issue of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. Dr. Kathy Clarke, with help from Mr. Michael Hall, has written an obituary describing his life and contribution to veterinary anaesthesia. The obituary can be downloaded here.
Exhibition news:
The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland are holding a temporary exhibition on "anaesthesia and animals" at the Anaesthesia Heritage Centre, London.
For more details about the exhibition visit their website.
Advance notice of Prof Jenny Hunter's Festschrift and a memorial meeting for Prof T Cecil Gray, Liverpool, May 12th-13th, 2011
This is a unique opportunity to hear intrenationally recognized speakers providing up to date information about their subject. More details about the programme and registration will follow. The preliminary programme can be downloaded here.
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Upcoming AVA meetings!Autumn AVA meeting: Santorini Greece The meeting will be held between 2nd Sept (training day) and 4th September (AVA congress 3/4th Sept). Go to the website to obtain more details about the congress, travel and accomodation. AVA Training Day Register Now! Have you ever tried to measure anything? Particularly on an animal? Particularly as part of a piece of research where the equipment is new and unfamiliar to you and where you've just spent quite a lot of your research grant to buy it? The salesman assured you it would work, the data sheet looked convincing, but now, in a cold wet barn with an uncooperative subject, the numbers just seem like rubbish? Or have you ever sat at your desk after weeks of work, staring at the Excel file, plotting this, extrapolating that, taking away twice the number you first thought of, wondering whether you have spent the last three months generating random numbers? You have? Or you might be about to? Then the AVA training day in Santorini is for you (2nd Sept 2010). Sponsored by Topcat Metrology Ltd, four jaded researchers who, between them, have possibly made every mistake possible over the years, get together to show how to do it and, more importantly, how not to. The talks will be interactive, there will be hardware to play with and an opportunity to discuss individual measurement problems. Visit the Topcat website www.topcatmetrology.com to see the up to date program for the day. AVA Spring meeting 2011, Bari, Italy 13th -15th April (13th April is the training day)
Please email Jo Murrell if you would like a position advertised in the members' jobs area on the AVA website.
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