Named Persons in Animal Research

NACWO

Named Animal Care and Welfare Office (NACWO)

Named Animal Care and Welfare Officers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day husbandry, care and welfare of the protected animals held at their establishment. They should be a source of independent advice on welfare and care to minimise suffering and optimise the welfare of all animals that are bred, kept for use or used at the establishment.

NACWOs should have appropriate personal authority to promote high standards and will need good communication and diplomacy skills to champion a culture of care amongst both scientific and husbandry staff.  The Home Office expect NACWOs to have appropriate managerial authority to enable them to ensure that high standards of husbandry and care are practised, meeting or exceeding the minimum standards set out in the Code of Practice.

The responsibilities of the NACWO include, but are not limited to:

• Being familiar with the main provisions of ASPA
• Having up-to-date knowledge and experience of relevant animal technology and a thorough knowledge of the husbandry and welfare needs of the species being cared for
• Being aware of the standards of care, accommodation, husbandry and welfare set out in the Code of Practice and take appropriate steps to develop and maintain high standards of these
• Having knowledge of relevant methods of humane killing listed in ASPA Schedule 1 and any additional approved methods specified on the establishment licence, and either be competent in their use or be able to contact others, who are named on the establishment’s register of qualified persons
• Being able to recognise the signs of pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm in the species being cared for and ensure that there is available expertise to monitor all animals to recognise any variation from normal health and behaviour
• Establishing a system to ensure that a competent person sees and checks every animal kept in an approved holding area at least once daily
• Knowing how to contact a Named Veterinary Surgeon, Project Licence Holders, Personal Licence Holders and the Establishment Licence Holder or their nominee at any time.
• Being familiar with the main provisions of project licences, particularly the adverse effects expected for each protocol, the control measures and humane end-points specified and the methods of killing specified in licences
• Championing a culture of care at the establishment, acting as a role model for all those who care for and work with the animals
• Helping the Establishment Licence Holder to keep suitable records of the health of the animals (under the supervision of the Named Veterinary Surgeon); of the environmental conditions in the approved areas in which animals are held and of the source and disposal of animals
• Advising applicants for licences and licence holders on practical opportunities for implementing the 3Rs and being an active member of an AWERB, either directly or through the NACWO forum
• If the health or welfare of an animal is giving cause for concern you must tell the personal licence holder who is responsible for the welfare of that animal. If that person is unavailable, you must ensure that the animal is cared for, and, if necessary, that it is humanely killed using a Schedule 1 method, or another method approved in the establishment licence. If you have any doubt about what you should do, you should contact the Named Veterinary Surgeon

NVS

Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS)

Named Veterinary Surgeons must be a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RVCS) with expertise in laboratory animal medicine for the species being used in the establishment. 

The RVCS in consultation with the Home Office and the Laboratory Animals Veterinary Association has produced guidance on the role and responsibilities of the NVS.  These responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Being familiar with the main provisions of ASPA
• Establishing a program of veterinary care and health monitoring and give advice on biosecurity and quarantine requirements
• Actively involved on a day-to day basis in safeguarding the welfare’
• Ensuring that adequate veterinary cover and services are available at all times, ensuring contact details are available to those caring for the animals, and maintaining health records
• Monitoring the health and welfare of the animals in the establishment by regularly visiting designated areas
• Notifying the personal licensee in charge of an animal if they are concerned about its health or welfare
• Having a thorough knowledge of husbandry, housing and welfare needs of the species held at the establishment, including prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease
• Complying with the requirements of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations relating to the supply and use of controlled drugs, prescription-only medicines and other therapeutic substances used on animals
• Certifying an animal is fit to travel to a specified place
• Taking an active part in the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Bodies (AWERB)
• Giving advice on the implementation of the 3R’s and the impact of experimental procedures on the welfare of protected animals, help minimise the severity of protocols & establish humane end points. Take appropriate clinical or therapeutic action for the welfare of a protected animal undergoing regulated procedures
• Giving advice on experimental surgical techniques and post-operative care

NTCO

Named Training and Competency Officer (NTCO)

The Named Training and Competency Officer (NTCO) is responsible for ensuring that all those dealing with animals are adequately educated, trained and supervised until they are competent and that they continue to undertake appropriate further training to maintain their expertise.

An NTCO may not be directly involved themselves in the provision or assessment of training or competency, these practical responsibilities may be delegated to experienced staff or Named Persons who are themselves competent to train and assess the necessary techniques.

They have a role in the ASPeL process for approving personal licence applications, verifying and confirming that the applicant’s training details are accurate and for signing off all PIL applications which are submitted in the system

The responsibilities of the NTCO include, but are not limited to:

• Being familiar with the main provisions of ASPA
• Being familiar with relevant training courses available
• Ensuring that everyone wishing to work with animals in the establishment are made known to them, to allow training needs to be discussed
• Advising individuals on the training required for obtaining a personal, as well as practical training and supervision required following licence approval
• Identifying trainers for specialised techniques
• Ensuring records of training and assessment are maintained and assessment of competence is conscientiously performed and recorded
• Setting local standards for training, supervision, competency assessment, continued professional development and refresher training
• Endorsing PIL applications and applications for PIL amendments
• Being familiar with the species used at the types of research performed at the establishment, so that appropriate training can be recommended
• Being actively involved in the AWERBs, and give advice on education and training
• Overseeing the accuracy and maintenance of the killing register and ensuring competency of those on the register. 

NIO

Named Information Office (NIO)

The Named Information Officer (NIO) is responsible for ensuring those working with animals in the establishment have access to up-to-date and relevant information needed about the species being held and procedures being performed.  Information should relate to:

• Guidance on the Act, as well as local rules and information
• Biology of the species used in the establishment
• Appropriate animal care and husbandry
• Animal welfare and the implementation of the 3Rs
• Guiding principles of good practice
• New scientific initiative and technical advances