PSS Awards recognise accredited practices who go the extra mile

Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) accredited practices who went above and beyond to provide outstanding service were recognised at BVNA Congress (Friday 11 October) with the presentation of the PSS Awards.

The awards are an extension to the existing PSS accreditation, a voluntary initiative to accredit veterinary practices in the UK and promote and maintain the highest standards of veterinary care.

To enter the awards, practices apply for awards in specific areas that they believe they are excelling in. Practices who meet award standards are then either designated as ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ within each award.

“As someone who works in an RCVS-accredited practice, I know first-hand how important being part of the Scheme is for maintaining a high-quality service for our patients and clients, helping us work as a cohesive and effective team, and making sure we have the best policies and practices in place,” said Mandisa Greene, Chair of the Practice Standards Group and RCVS Junior Vice-President, at the awards ceremony.  

“RCVS-accreditation is not just a sticker on your window or a plaque on your front desk, it is a journey of constant improvement, and I particularly commend those practices that go above-and-beyond in earning one or more awards.”

The recipients of the PSS Awards for this year were:

• Hythe Vet Centre in Kent for an outstanding rating in the Client Service Award and the Team & Professional Responsibility Award.
• Royal Veterinary College’s Queen Mother Hospital for Animals in Hertfordshire for an outstanding rating for awards in Client Service, Diagnostic Service, Emergency & Critical Care Service, In-Patient Service, and Team & Professional Responsibility.
• Royal Veterinary College’s Equine Referral Hospital for an outstanding rating in the Ambulatory Service, Client Service, Diagnostic Service, In-Patient Service and Team & Professional Responsibility Awards.
• Chestergates Veterinary Specialists in Chester for an outstanding rating in the Client Service Award and the Diagnostic Service Award.
• Mill House Veterinary Surgery and Hospital in Kin’s Lynn, Norfolk which has been rated outstanding for the Client Service, Diagnostic Service, Emergency & Critical Care Service, In-Patient Service, Patient Consultation Service and Team & Professional Responsibility Awards.
• E C Straiton & Partners in Penkridge, Staffordshire for an outstanding rating in the Diagnostic Service, Emergency & Critical Care Service, In-Patient Service and Patient Consultation Service Awards.
• Raddenstiles Vets based in Exmouth, Devon which has been rated outstanding for the Client Service and In-Patient Service Awards.
• Crossriggs Veterinary Clinic based in East Ayrshire and which was rated outstanding in the Client Service Award.
• Severn Edge Veterinary Group in Shropshire for an outstanding rating in the Client Service Award.
• Dovecote Veterinary Hospital based in Castle Donington, Derbyshire, which has been rated outstanding in the Client Service, In-Patient Service and Team & Professional Responsibility Awards.
• Gillivervet, an equine practice based in Lancashire which has an outstanding rating for its Ambulatory Service Award.
• Vets Now practices in Reading, Bristol, Derby, Kirkcaldy, Northampton and Swansea all of whom were rated outstanding in the Emergency & Critical Care Service Award.

“Very many congratulations to all the practice teams who have achieved their Practice Standards Scheme awards,” says Niall Connell, RCVS President.

“What was abundantly clear from all the citations we heard at the awards ceremony is how important the entire practice team is in securing these fantastic outcomes – administrative staff, veterinary nurses, veterinary surgeons, receptionists and care assistants all have a role to play. The Practice Standards Scheme is really something that everyone can feed into, everyone can be part of and everyone can feel proud about.”

An album of photos from the awards ceremony can be found on the RCVS Flickr page.