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‘Exemplary’ nurse named VN Educator of the Year
CQ chair of governors Martin Barrow, keynote speaker Lucy Cooke and award winner Kira Sutcliffe.
Kira Sutcliffe honoured for her work training veterinary nurses 

An ‘exemplary’ veterinary nurse, Kira Sutcliffe, has been named VN Educator of the Year Award at an awards ceremony hosted by Central Qualifications in London.

The awards recognise the hard work and commitment of all staff who support veterinary nursing students. This year’s event was held at Central Hall in Westminster on Saturday (22 June).

Kira is head nurse and clinical coach at Stanley House Veterinary Group in Burnley, where she began her career as a trainee in 1999. As a clinical coach she supports her students during the course of their training, guiding them through their learning and inspiring them to grow into responsible professionals.

Commenting on her award, she said: “I am extremely grateful for the recognition I have received and I would like to thank all the staff at Stanley House Vets for their support throughout my career.”

Those who nominated her described her as an ‘exemplary’ nurse and a ‘fantastic leader’ who has trained many nurses to an incredibly high standard.

Robin Hargreaves, one of the directors of Stanley House vets, said he had “no hesitation” in recommending Kira for the award.

“She has all the qualities I admire in a teacher,” he explained. “Having trained with us to get her own veterinary nursing qualification she has huge experience in first opinion veterinary practice and the challenges that students are being prepared to face. She is thorough, consistent, empathetic and understanding.

“I think the greatest quality she has is the example she sets, when things get difficult she is the first to roll up her sleeves and do the extra bits required to get the tasks completed, and with endless good humour.

“Whilst setting rigorous standards for herself she is immensely understanding of the struggles students can have balancing work, home and study. Above all she is kind, kind to her colleagues and kind to her patients and if the veterinary professions wanted to create nurses to a template then I would hold her up as a shining example to anyone.”

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.