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PetPlan Veterinary Awards winners announced
More than 40,000 nominations were received from veterinary staff and clients.

Awards celebrate outstanding veterinary professionals.
 
The winners of the 2020 PetPlan veterinary awards have been announced.

Now in its 21st year, the PetPlan awards celebrate outstanding veterinary professionals, including vets, vet nurses, practices, practice managers and support staff.

This year's event was held virtually, with broadcaster and writer Gyles Brandreth acknowledging the finalists and announcing the deserving winners on Facebook.

Nearly 40,000 nominations were received from colleagues and clients, highlighting the incredible work that goes on in practices every day. The winners and finalists for each category are:

Practice of the Year
Wangford Vet Clinic, Suffolk – Winner

RW Equine Vets, Egmont Farm, Northiam
Cats Whiskers Veterinary Clinic, West Sussex.

Vet Nurse of the Year
Claire Shepherd, Parker And Crowther Ltd, Merseyside – Winner
Rachael Duxbury, PDSA Pet Hospital The Jean Marchig Centre, Liverpool
Samantha Lyons, Goddard Veterinary Group, Surrey.

Vet of the Year
Lindsay Henry, Kessock Equine Vets, Inverness-shire - Winner
Ben Pugh, Byron Veterinary Clinic, Nottinghamshire
Charlotte Hanson, Hanson Animal Doctor LTD, Nottingham.

Practice Manager of the Year

Martin McGovern, Fenaghy Veterinary Clinic, Ballymena – Winner
Andrew Booth, Droitwich Vets4Pets Ltd, Droitwich
Marian Hines, Manor Vet Clinic, Kent.

Practice Support Staff of the Year
Dawn Prime, Wherry Veterinary Group, Suffolk - Winner
Kirsty Bennett, Blacks Vets Ltd, West Midlands
Rebecca Grose, Medivet Impington, Cambridgeshire.

“This year we received over 37,000 nominations and it was great to see so many veterinary colleagues and pet owners coming together online to honour the exceptional work carried out by some of the best veterinary professionals in the countr," said James Barnes, head of sales and partnerships at Petplan.

“We hope everyone enjoyed the event and celebrated in style at home. Now more than ever it’s important to recognise the lengths the veterinary community goes to in looking after our pets and it felt particularly special this year to be able to say thank you to the veterinary profession at this difficult time. I would like to congratulate all of our deserving winners on their brilliant achievement.”

 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.