Scotland’s first in-house receptionist academy has produced its first cohort of graduates, with six staff earning certificates from The College of Animal Welfare.

Awards celebrate practices that demonstrate a commitment to positive well-being, with the winners announced at SPVS-VMG Congress.

Clare Balding opened congress before delegates got stuck into more than 50 hours of varied business and well-being CPD at Celtic Manor, south Wales.

David Hillier will be succeeded as chief executive by Stephen Clarke, former chief executive of WHSmith.

Improved facilities are a step closer for a Kettering veterinary practice thanks to progress on a £1.3 million new hospital project.

Swift Referrals has a multi-disciplined team specialising in advanced imaging, internal medicines, orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery and neurology.

Additional vets and nurses will be required when £1.4 million West Yorkshire hospital opens in late summer.

“The prospect of being part of the VetPartners’ adventure as country lead for France is very exciting to me” – VetPartners managing director for France, Vincent Parez.

Generous donation “will make a massive difference in helping to restore vital habitats for wildlife” – Worldwide Fund for Nature.

State of the art referral centre awarded four “outstanding” ratings in RCVS Practice Standards Scheme.

“We are delighted to join forces and partner with Waggel – a fellow start-up with bold ambitions to revolutionise the pet insurance sector” – David Prien, FirstVet chief executive.

Referral practice that launched a fixed price tibial plateau-levelling osteotomy and surgery deal now backs up results and customer satisfaction figures from first 70 surgeries performed.

Scheme will see primary care vets and veterinary nurses across the Linnaeus Group learn from referral centre anaesthetist colleagues.

Among a wide range of initiatives to improve access to veterinary care, Animal Trust will offer free consultations with a vet to everyone – regardless of where they live and what their income is.

Up to six new jobs will be created as referral practice outgrows its old premises and moves to new state-of-the-art site.

New purpose-built surgical and intensive care facility to house two new operating theatres, expanding equine hospital’s capacity.