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

Winners of Hill's Pet Nutrition Nurse Awards revealed
Laura-Jean Hammersley of White Cross Vets, Coulby Newham won the Senior Support Nurse Award.

Hard-working nurses and nursing teams celebrated during difficult year

Veterinary nurses who have shown outstanding dedication and commitment to supporting pets and owners have been recognised as part of the annual Hill's Pet Nutrition Nurse Awards.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who entered our awards during this very ‘unusual’ year,” said Fi Marjoram, nurse programme coordinator at Hill's Pet Nutrition.

“It has been a challenging year for everyone, but as expected, the commitment and dedication shown by vet nurses around the country has not wavered and we are thrilled to give them the recognition they deserve.”

The finalists and winners in each category are as follows:

The Senior Support Nurse Award

Laura-Jean Hammersley of White Cross Vets, Coulby Newham – winner
Jane White of Abbey House Veterinary Hospital, Morely
Becky Smith of Wilton House Vets, Guisborough.

The Managing Weight with Excellence Award

The nursing team from Heathside Veterinary Surgery, Southampton – winners
Alex John of St James’ Vets, Swansea
Becky Smith of Wilton House, Guisborough.

Hill's Pet Nutrition also announced the Canine and Feline Slimmers of the Year, who undertook incredible weight loss journeys across 2020.

The winner in the canine category was Willow Mason from Guisborough. She entered the awards in 2019 and has lost 40 per cent of her start weight since then. Overall Willow went from 27.5kg to 16.5kg with the help of Becky Smith from Wilton House Vets.

The nursing team at Pennard Vets in Allington helped feline winner Timmy Howell to go from 14.4kg to a more manageable 6.9kg. Overall the cat has lost an amazing 48 per cent of his start weight.

For more details on how to apply for the 2021 awards, please speak to your local Hill’s Pet Nutrition territory manager.

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

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.