The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has opened nominations for the BVA Wellbeing Awards 2024, recognising veterinary workplaces that prioritise team wellbeing.

Sponsored by MSD Animal Health, these awards highlight workplaces that align with BVA’s Good Veterinary Workplaces initiative, fostering inclusive environments with positive cultures where staff feel valued and supported.

Categories and Criteria for Nominations

The BVA Wellbeing Awards will assess workplaces in three categories:

  • Small/Medium Practice (Up to 25 employees)
  • Large Practice (Over 25 employees)
  • Non-Clinical Workplace

Veterinary teams are invited to nominate their workplaces, detailing how they support team wellbeing. Entrants must provide evidence of:

  • A positive workplace culture prioritising mental and physical wellbeing and proactively managing workplace stress.
  • Good communication ensuring all staff members are heard and valued.
  • Clear processes for making suggestions and enabling change.
  • Support for flexible working and encouragement of regular breaks.

Nominations are encouraged to be a team effort, allowing everyone to share their views and experiences. Entrants must also submit photos showcasing team culture and initiatives to aid staff wellbeing, with creativity in submissions encouraged.

Insights from BVA Leadership

Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux, BVA Junior Vice President and awards judge, emphasised the importance of workplace wellbeing: “We spend so much of our lives at work, it’s therefore so important we feel happy and valued whilst we’re there. Prioritising wellbeing is not only good for individuals, it also makes good business sense. Happy, healthy workplaces retain their talent, which builds a resilient workforce, which in turn benefits the sustainability of the business. The BVA Wellbeing Awards shine a light on the workplaces getting the balance right, working hard to go the extra mile to maintain, protect and enhance their team’s wellbeing.”

Success Stories from Previous Winners

Last year’s winners highlighted impactful workplace initiatives. Blue Cross Merton Hospital, winner of the Small/Medium Practice category, impressed judges with their positive attitude and genuine accommodation for all team members, appreciating both clinical and non-clinical staff. They prioritise team wellbeing both in and outside work, celebrating achievements and discussing tough days. The practice also has several mental health first aiders and encourages social events.

Inglis Vets from Dunfermline, winner of the Large Practice category, was praised for genuinely prioritising wellbeing and fostering healthy relationships in all aspects of life. They have a separate team to handle complaints and a wellbeing committee from all departments, organising social events and implementing positive changes for staff.

The Food Standards Agency, winner of the Non-Clinical Workplace category, was commended for understanding individual experiences, which was described as “very empowering.” They also have a reverse mentoring scheme, generous volunteering leave, and a culture valuing staff opinions and views. The workplace is proactive in addressing both internal and external barriers that could cause issues.

Supporting Statements from MSD Animal Health

Victoria Miles, UK Companion Animal Business Unit Director at MSD Animal Health, added: “MSD Animal Health is proud to support the BVA Wellbeing Awards for the second year running. Vets are crucial to the health and welfare of the nation’s pets and livestock, which makes it so important to create happy work environments where practice teams can thrive. The steps so many veterinary workplaces are now making to support staff wellbeing are showing the way forward and we are excited to celebrate these achievements at this year’s awards.”

The BVA Wellbeing Awards are an evolution of the Vet Wellbeing Awards, initially founded by SPVS and run in partnership with the RCVS Mind Matters Initiative. These awards continue to recognise veterinary workplaces that go above and beyond in supporting staff wellbeing, based on BVA’s Good Veterinary Workplaces Voluntary Code.

The awards are open to the entire veterinary profession without the requirement to be a BVA member. Winners will be announced at the BVA Awards dinner on 14 November during the London Vet Show. Nominations close on Monday, 9 September 2024. To nominate a veterinary workplace and for more details on the entry criteria and full terms and conditions, visit: BVA Wellbeing Awards.