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Vet nurse of the year
Sam Shand awarded for outstanding dedication

Sam Shand, a veterinary nurse form Lincolnshire, has been awarded with the Blue Cross's Veterinary Nurse of the Year award.

Sam, who works at Quarrington Veterinary Surgery in Sleaford, educates children about animal welfare and raises money for several local charities in her spare time.

The award was presented at the BVNA Congress in Telford, Shropshire, by BVNA president, Claire Fraser, and Blue Cross community vet nurse, Stephanie Byers.

Sam was nominated by her colleagues at the surgery where she works. She said: "When I heard I was this year's winner I was completely gobsmacked. The news came totally out-of-the-blue and I was very moved and even quite tearful! It is so nice to get this recognition, not just for me but for all of the practice."

Head of veterinary services at the Blue Cross, Wendy Adams, said: "Our award recognises the hard work and commitment of vet nurses across the UK. They are the unsung heroes of animal welfare and many of them go the extra mile, working tirelessly to look after sick and injured pets and educate their communities about animal care.

"Congratulations to Sam who really deserves to be this year's winner."

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."