Search is on to find pandemic ‘Practice Stars’
The Practice Star awards are open to all members of the veterinary team.
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.”
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. 
