31/03/2021 Portland Vets in East Grinstead, a thriving small animal veterinary practice with branches in Edenbridge and Horley, has joined XLVets. The collaboration is set to enhance an already growing practice and secure its future as an independent practice.
Founded by George and Jenny Christopherson in 2004, Portland Vets is located in a converted 1890’s house which is now the setting for a modern, specialised practice. As the business has grown, the exceptional standards of care have remained constant with a team of experienced vets, many of whom are certificate holders. Offering competitive routine work and wellness plans, Portland Vets boasts a fully equipped hospital and an affordable referral clinic for emergency, surgical, medical and diagnostic imaging cases.
04/05/2021 Black Sheep Farm Health, an independent farm practice in Northumberland, has appointed Kaz Strycharczyk as a new partner. Kaz, who graduated from Cambridge in 2017, joined the practice on its establishment in 2018 and has been with the team for every step of their journey. Over this time Black Sheep Farm Health has built up a strong reputation with local farmers as a dedicated independent practice and has become known as a proud member of the XLVets community. Black Sheep Farm Health is the only farm-exclusive practice in the UK to have a caseload of nearly 100% beef and sheep, and Kaz and the team are strengthening the practice’s position as a respected source of expertise in these areas. Click here for the full story
12/04/2021 Priory Veterinary Group in Dorset, a thriving independent practice with a well-equipped hospital and two branch surgeries, has taken on Jess Roose as a new director. Jess has been with the team since she graduated in 2013 and is now studying for her second certificate. With Jess taking up her new position, Priory Veterinary Group is looking forward to a strong and sustainable future as an independent practice. Priory is keen to preserve its culture of learning and support and is a proud member of the XLVets community. Click here for the full story
08/04/2021 Emily Gascoigne of Synergy Farm Health has been named Farm Educator of the Year in the Ceva Animal Welfare Awards. Emily, a RCVS Recognised Specialist in Sheep Health and Production, is known for going the extra mile to share her knowledge with farmers, vets and vet students. She believes that education is key to improving animal welfare and is always keen to emphasise the links between welfare and productivity. Emily’s practice, Synergy Farm Health, invests heavily in training and is a celebrated member of the XLVets community of independent practices. Click here for the full story
31/03/2021 Broad Lane Vets in Coventry has appointed two new directors, Alison White and Aidín Walls. Both longstanding members of the practice team, the new directors will join current owner Elly Pittaway, who celebrated her twentieth anniversary at Broad Lane this Spring. With a stable team and a strong family ethos, Broad Lane is a thriving independent practice and a well-established member of the XLVets community. As the new directors come on board, the practice is looking towards a sustainable future retaining its place in the hearts of local residents. Click here for the full story
31/03/2021 We are excited to launch a series of monthly events developed specifically for nurses across the XLVets community. Based on research with our members to discover the key clinical and non clinical subjects our network of nurses would like to see, we are excited to launch the first event in April, when we will be joined by TVM who will present on the 'Approach to the Poisoned Patient'. Nursing members can register now and can find more details on the Network's Facebook page, or on the Nursing Network forum.
26/03/2021 Conway Road Vets in Colwyn Bay has become the latest member of the XLVets community of independent practices. A small local practice with a family feel, Conway Road Vets has been pleased to welcome a growing number of new clients after extending their premises and adding a range of new facilities. The practice is delighted to join XLVets and is looking forward to collaborating with the community as the future unfolds. Click here for the full story
17/03/2021 XLVets small animal practices came together to offer their clients a free virtual educational evening, to learn more about First Aid for your Pet. We were joined by over 500 pet owners and expert speakers Lynne Gaskarth BVSc CertSAM MRCVS, an RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Medicine and Director at Drove Veterinary Hospital and Dan Lewis BVSc CertAVP MRCVS Director at Capontree Veterinary Centre. Click here to view the recording
05/03/2021 Veterinary Woman and XLVets are organising the second Veterinary Women in Leadership event with a focus on the ‘Dare to LeadTM’ work of world-renowned leadership researcher and writer, Brené Brown. Following on from the success of the inaugural event last year, there will also be the elements of networking, showcasing role models from across the industry and coached breakout sessions to tackle leadership challenges faced by individuals. All delegates will receive a copy of the Dare to LeadTM book and refreshments to enjoy during the event. Click here for the full story
18/02/2021 Julian Allen, a Director of Friars Moor Livestock Health, has been named the winner of the Farmers Weekly Livestock Adviser of the Year Award. Julian has worked at Friars Moor for 26 years and during that time has become known as a dedicated and enthusiastic vet who goes the extra mile to support his clients. His practice Friars Moor is a proud member of the XLVets community of independent veterinary practices, and another finalist for the award, Ed Hill at Thrums Veterinary Group, also hails from XLVets. Click here for the full story
02/02/2021 Garston Veterinary Group, which is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year, has become the newest member of the independent XLVets community. The practice is based in Frome, Somerset and has been providing veterinary services across the area since 1911. Garston Veterinary Group is proud of its independent heritage, and is pleased to strengthen this by joining the XLVets community of like-minded practices. Click here for the full story
26/01/2021 Sandstone Vet Group, a new independent farm practice based in Tarporley, Cheshire, has joined the growing XLVets community. The practice was set up in May 2020 by Owen Tunney and Emyr Rowlands, two vets with a shared vision of providing a high-quality veterinary service founded on long-term relationships with farmers. They have got off to a successful start despite the challenges of the last year and have received valuable support from the XLVets community. Click here for the full story
07/01/2021 XLVets Equine member practices will be writing articles on a wide variety of veterinary subjects to help support horse owners and readers of the popular Horse & Rider magazine. Experts across the community will be sharing their knowledge on a variety of subjects, from Sweet Itch to Suspensory Ligament Injuries, so keep your eyes peeled throughout 2021.
10/11/2020 Independent veterinary practices, who cooperate under the XLVets community banner, have banded together to carry out a nationwide study on sheep scab. Caused by the mite Psoroptes ovis, sheep scab, was notifiable in the UK until 1992 and was only made notifiable again in Scotland in 2010. Click here for the full story
02/11/2020 On Monday 2nd November, XLVets members can tune in to the XLVets Festival, which runs online for the next two weeks. The event comes on the back of recent BVA survey* that showed 45% of veterinary respondents are concerned about their own risk of stress and burnout. The Festival is inspired by the community’s ‘Thriving in Practice’ initiative and includes everything from clinical updates, to sessions on building resilience and confidence, as well as fun events such as chocolate and beer tasting and even a comedy gig. Click here for the full story
26/10/2020 Vets Eve Thomas and Sarah Parker recently won their bid to take ownership of a local practice. Keen to ensure they were capturing all the help available, they asked their veterinary contacts for tips. Two of their peers independently recommended contacting XLVets, which was a bit of a surprise as both Sarah and Eve were under the impression that the community was a corporate. Now they are the newest XLVets members and were excited to open Builth Wells Vets on Monday 5th October, offering a more comprehensive service to farm, equine and small animal clients. Click here for the full story
19/10/2020 A recent study suggests that the majority of farm fridges may not maintain temperatures within the 2–8oC range recommended for the storage of most vaccines. In the study, which was supported by MSD and led by Rosie Lyle of Bishopton Veterinary Group, 18 farmers placed temperature loggers in the fridge where they normally store vaccines. Temperatures were then monitored between February and April. Throughout this period, 89% of loggers recorded a temperature outside the 2–8oC range at least once, and 43% recorded temperatures outside this range more than 50% of the time. These findings raise potential concerns about vaccine efficacy. Click here for the full story
15/10/2020 Leadership confidence levels were boosted in just six hours for delegates of the inaugural Veterinary Women in Leadership event. The well attended event, run jointly by XLVets and Veterinary Woman, saw high levels of engagement from delegates, including women and men from across the veterinary profession and animal health industry. Discussions on next steps to facilitate women’s leadership development highlighted several key areas where the profession can do more to support career progression. Outcomes include future events and the building a leadership support network. Click here for the full story
30/09/2020 Nantwich Farm Vets has announced that it has joined the XLVets community. The move allows Nantwich to establish links with a network of independent practices who are able to share resources and services, while remaining in control of its own business and client care strategy. The practice has been warmly welcomed by like-minded practices across XLVets that are already experiencing the benefits of working together while retaining their own unique perspectives. Click here for the full story
16/09/2020 Veterinary Woman and XLVets have confirmed an impressive line-up of key figures to speak at their virtual event on 29th September. Alongside past-presidents and representatives including Amanda Boag (RCVS), Daniella Dos Santos (BVA), Wendy Nevins (BVNA), Catriona Curtis (SPVS), and Jenny Hull (BCVA), the event features business owners, practice and referral hospital founders, clinical directors and HR directors. Click here for the full story
27/08/2020 Veterinary Woman and XLVets have confirmed an impressive line-up of key figures to speak at their virtual event on 29th September. Alongside past-presidents and representatives including Amanda Boag (RCVS), Daniella Dos Santos (BVA), Wendy Nevins (BVNA), Catriona Curtis (SPVS), and Jenny Hull (BCVA), the event features business owners, practice and referral hospital founders, clinical directors and HR directors. Click here for the full story