Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Blue Cross ‘Vet Nurse of the Year’ winner announced
Danielle receiving her award from Richard Casey and 2017 winner Fiona Leathers.
Award presented to RVNs that go the extra mile to improve pet welfare

Danielle Pountain of Pool House Veterinary Hospital, Lichfield, has won the Blue Cross ‘Vet Nurse of the Year’ award for going ‘above and beyond’ to help animals in need.

Danielle was presented with her award by Richard Casey, clinical development manager at Blue Cross, at the BVNA Congress in Telford, Shropshire. Her nominators praised her for her enthusiasm, extensive knowledge and experience, making her a role model for hard work and self-motivation.  

Commenting on her award, Danielle, a deputy head nurse, said: “I was overwhelmed to receive the call that I had been selected as the Blue Cross Vet Nurse of the Year. It felt like an unbelievable honour to have been considered worthy for an award for doing a job I love to do and I felt like being recognised for my achievements and contribution to veterinary nurses, validated all of my hard work, enthusiasm and dedication. I am grateful to everyone for giving me such a great title and award.”

Mr Casey said: “Danielle is a dedicated and passionate vet nurse who goes above and beyond to help pets in need. She is very highly qualified and is always seeking out the latest research evidence to support the animals in her care, as well as training the RVN’s of the future. Congratulations to Danielle who has truly earned this year’s award.”

The Blue Cross Vet Nurse of the Year award pays recognition to the country’s veterinary nurses and the support they give veterinary teams, pet owners and their animals. It is presented to a veterinary nurse who not only cares for sick and injured pets but goes the extra mile to encourage responsible pet ownership and improve pet welfare in the community.

Danielle was one of more than a hundred veterinary nurses nominated for this year’s award.

 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.