Vet nurse makes history by joining SPVS board
"Julie Eastham stood out as someone who could bring a wider variety of skills to SPVS." - Pete Orpin
Julie Eastham has made history by becoming the first veterinary nurse to join the board of the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS). As a board member, Ms Eastham is looking forward to highlighting the good work that the organisation does for the veterinary profession.
Ms Eastham is a veterinary nurse and practice manager at the Cambridgeshire veterinary practice where she has worked for 18 years. She first became aware of SPVS after attending its congress. She said: “From talking to nurses and front of house teams, they have either never heard of SPVS or think SPVS is a society just for vets.
“However, as a veterinary nurse I feel I can benefit SPVS as I straddle two parts of the veterinary business.
“I am able to see the practice as a whole, working to ensure we have a high standard, quality business but I’m also able to see how business decisions affect my fellow nurses.”
SPVS is a not-for-profit organisation that provides advice, support and guidance for veterinary professionals.
Pete Orpin, SPVS board chair said: “In 2023, we had a strong group of new board members. Julie Eastham stood out as someone who could bring a wider variety of skills to SPVS.
“The combination of nursing and managerial experience is highly valuable and we look forward to working with Julie during her time on the board.”
Image (C) SPVS
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. 
