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Search is on to find pandemic ‘Practice Stars’
The Practice Star awards are open to all members of the veterinary team.
“This is a great opportunity for you to discuss positive initiatives together as a team” - Liz Barton.

The joint RCVS Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) and the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) have launched a search for members of the practice team who have kept up morale during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Practice Star Awards are open to veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, student vets and VNs, animal care assistants, receptionists, technicians, practice managers and other support staff. Individuals can nominate their colleagues for an award via the online form, with a short outline describing how the person kept-up team morale during such a challenging year.

“This is a great opportunity for you to discuss positive initiatives together as a team, reflect on the great things that you are doing to help your practice wellbeing, and nominate one person who you would particularly like to thank,” commented Liz Barton, the SPVS board’s wellbeing representative.

“From previous Practice Star awards, we’ve found that small acts of kindness – a gesture, a comment, a positive word or two – can have an enormous impact on the overall wellbeing and morale of a team. If you know someone who has had this kind of effect on the workplace, then please make sure to get in touch and nominate them as a Practice Star.”

Mind Matters manager, Lisa Quigley, added: “We will be publishing details of all of the nominations on the Mind Matters website and sending each of them a certificate. They will also all be entered into a prize draw with two being chosen at random to receive free tickets to the joint Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Management Group Congress in 2022.” 

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.