Dr Katharine Nelson MRCVS

Biography

Katharine Nelson graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2003 and has spent over 20 years in general practice, initially in mixed and then in solely small animal practice; including in-house OOH provision as well as work with a dedicated OOH provider.

The majority of Katharine’s clinical career has been at Acorn House Veterinary Hospital in Bedford, where she worked for 21 years, serving as both Clinical Director and Practice Principal. During this time she was responsible for leading the practice to ensure the sustainable provision of a high standard of veterinary care for clients and their pets alongside a culture of lifelong learning for veterinary professionals at all stages of their careers. Katharine also has experience working as an emergency veterinary surgeon for a dedicated out of hours provider. Katharine holds RVC Advanced Practitioner status in Small Animal Surgery and in Clinical Animal Behaviour; and is an RCVS assessor for the AVP (behaviour) designation as well as VetGDP Advisor, Peer Reviewer and Academy Panel member.

In December 2024 Katharine was appointed as the first Director of General Practice for the Royal Veterinary College. In this role she leads the RVCs new general practice division, setting the standard in patient and client care and for student learning, and supporting the evolution of general practitioners across the profession by generating practice-focused research, sharing quality improvement initiatives and raising the profile of general practice within the profession. Katharine continues to practice clinically both at Acorn House and at the Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital (Camden).

Katharine sits on the Health Research Authority Research Ethics Committee (Essex) which facilitates medical and social research by protecting the interests of research participants. She has also provided consultancy services in animal behaviour to Boehringer Ingelheim. Katharine was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2024 for services to clinical practice.

Katharine has published articles in Vet Times, BSAVA Companion and the Vet Record and more locally writes a monthly column for pet owners in BedsLife magazine. She has worked with Bedford Borough Council to develop a collaborative approach towards frontline service provision in the community and with Boehringer Ingelheim to assist with the provision of animal behaviour tools for general practitioners.

Committee membership

• Preliminary Investigation Committee - appointed 2023

Declaration of Interests