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.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 29th April 2014
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

Practice manager recognition on the rise
Sharon Lane-Kieltyka
Sharon Lane-Kieltyka won practice manager of the year at the Petplan Awards 2014.
Award nominations see 40 per cent boost

A significant hike was seen in the number of nominations for both practice managers and veterinary nurses in this year's Petplan Veterinary Awards.

Practice manager nominations saw a boost of 40 per cent, while nurse nominations rose by just under 25 per cent.

Former VPMA president Helen Sanderson said she was "delighted" at the upsurge and wants to encourage even more members to vote next year.

"Practice managers and nurses deserve this recognition," she said. "Both work very hard to support practice but don’t always get the acknowledgement for it…

"I think we can do even better, and I’d like to see nominations next year for both categories being closer to the numbers seen for the vet of the year category."

Similarly, BVNA president Kirstie Shield said the vet is usually at the forefront of the client's mind, and they do not see the work that goes on back-of-house.

"The professionalism and expertise of nurses and managers help drive a high standard of service and animal welfare," she added.

BVNA and VMPA launched a joint initiative this year, encouraging practice managers to nominate their nurses and nurses to nominate their manager for the awards.

Affectionately known as the Veterinary Oscars, the Petplan Awards are now in their fifteenth year. Sharon Lane-Kieltyka won practice manager of the year at the event in early April, while Kirstie Shield presented Tina Wright with the veterinary nurse of the year award.

Congratulating the winners, Ms Sanderson said: "As an association, we strive to support excellence in practice management and give managers the tools they need to do their job effectively.

"This has a knock-on effect on boosting the performance of the whole practice team and of course the end service given to clients. We look forward to working with the finalists to disseminate their expertise and knowledge to the rest of our membership."

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

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.