Guess who's hosting the dinner?
FOLLOWING his popularity at last year's Petplan Veterinary Awards, Gyles Brandreth will return to host the 2014 awards.
Celebrating the 15th year of the awards, Petplan will once again acknowledge the outstanding service the veterinary profession provides – and, more importantly, reward those whose passion, hard work and dedication has helped pets and pet owners across the UK.
Gyles, whose knowledge and witty comment about the work of vets and nurses at the 2013 awards earned him huge praise, said he was delighted to be invited back.
“It is an honour and a pleasure to be invited back to host the Veterinary Awards. I know a lot of vets – including my son-in-law – and admire their sheer hard work and dedication to the job. These awards provide the opportunity to salute the very best of vets in the profession as well as the wider and highly valued supporting team of nurses and receptionists. I am looking forward again to celebrating the work that they do.”
In a question-and-answer session with sister publication, Veterinary Practice Today, Gyles was quick to come out in support of the veterinary nursing profession as well as the work of vets.
On being asked "How might you propose to raise the profile of veterinary nurses to the public?" Gyles replied:
"People trust vets because they know how well trained they are. We need to raise the status of veterinary nurses and their profiles. Whenever an operation requiring anaesthesia is performed, we need a fully qualified vet nurse on the case.
"We need to give the same respect and status and time and energy to the whole business of training vet nurses as we do to vets. This is a big issue, but it's all part of raising the overall standing and perceived professionalism of veterinary practice. So much has been achieved in recent years. This is an area where more can still happen."
Members of the profession along with their clients may nominate across a number of categories, including VN of the Year and Vet of the Year. Nominations are judged by an independent panel of industry experts and the finalists are invited to attend the sumptuous awards ceremony at Birmingham Town Hall on Thursday April 3, 2014.
To nominate a friend or colleague, or register your interest in attending the awards evening, visit www.petplanvet.co.uk
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
