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Practice Manager of the Year is announced
Practice Manager of the Year Sharon Lane-Kieltyka and VPMA president Helen Sanderson

VPMA member wins prestigious award

A member of the Veterinary Practice Management Association has been awarded the prestigious title of Practice Manager of the Year at the recent Petplan Awards held in Birmingham.

Sharon Lane-Kieltyka from Shepton Veterinary Group, Somerset, received a year’s free membership to the association, with funded CPD and regional support, access to the active e-group and forums and other member benefits, as well as her all important trophy.

Keen to acknowledge the team effort that went into her achievement, Sharon said: “This award is not just recognition for what I have done but what the practice team as a whole has achieved over the last couple of years. I feel very proud to work for Shepton Vets and am extremely grateful for the support I get from staff and directors alike. Hopefully in the future there will be more awards to come for other members of the practice!”

Past President Pauline Graham, who was part of the judging panel, presented Sharon with her accolade. Pauline commented, “Sharon is a very deserving winner – and it’s so lovely that she’s been rewarded for her hard work behind the scenes in running her practice. VPMA is very much about supporting and learning from one another, and the association looks forward to hearing more from Sharon on best management practice.”

 

 

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.