Our day at the BestUKVets Awards 2024

As media sponsors, it was our pleasure to attend the BestUKVets Awards 2024, hosted by VetHelpDirect and Digital Practice CEO Susie Samuel, at the Paintworks in Bristol this week! 

The annual BestUKVet Awards are designed to celebrate the very best of veterinary practices across the United Kingdom. Organised by VetHelpDirect.com and running for over a decade, these awards are particularly special as they are based on genuine client feedback and reviews, making them a true reflection of the high standards and exceptional care provided by the winners for their pets and clients. 

The 2024 awards were the second in-person event held to celebrate the winners and shortlisted practices, following the success of last year’s event in a beautifully sunny setting near the River Thames. 

Claire, Sarah, Charlotte and Jane arrived at the celebrations in style with a glamorous red carpet, photograph and welcome drink sponsored by veterinaryit.services! This was followed by an opportunity to network and catch up with some familiar faces and, of course, have a chance to use the photo booth! 

Following a fun ice breaker game of Top and Tails, we were treated to a delicious three course meal of tomato & mozzarella to start, a roasted chicken main (or spicy halloumi and red pepper for the vegetarians) and a fresh and zesty lemon tart to finish. Sponsored by Digital Practice. 

And then the main event commenced, firstly with all 75 shortlisted practices being presented with their certificates by special guest, Pete Orpin from SPVS. 

Next up we celebrated the Best in County winners, who took to the stage and collected their certificates from Keith Dickinson of Shire Insurance and Finance Brokers. 

Our very own Claire took to the stage next to present the Top 25 winners with their certificates and congratulate many familiar faces! 

The presentation took a brief pause whilst we listened to an introduction to VetLife, the event’s charity partner, and we were all invited to donate via the QR code on our name places. If you haven’t yet, you can follow this link to donate to a vitally important cause that helps support our veterinary colleagues in need https://www.vetlife.org.uk/donate/. 

David Harris, from VetHelpDirect, then announced the winners of the ‘Best In Category’ awards which included categories such as ‘Best Mobile Vet’, ‘Best Cat Only Vet’, ‘Best Referral Vet’ and ‘Best Startup Vet’. 

This year, the awards also celebrate the ongoing dedication from a previous Gold winners who continue to achieve an incredibly high volume of positive awards throughout the year. The coveted Elite Awards Club was presented to Weeley Veterinary Centre and Cockburn Vets! 

And now on to the highly anticipated Bronze, Silver and Gold Best UK Vet Awards 2024. 

EzyVet took to the stage to announce Willows Veterinary Centre & Referral Service as the Bronze winners and presented them with their certificate and trophy! 

The penultimate award was announced by Jack Peploe from Veterinary It Services who was delighted to announce Swanspool Veterinary Clinichttps://www.swanspoolvets.com/ as winners of the Silver award and certificate. 

And finally… drum roll please… with an incredible 939 four and five star reviews, Warren House Veterinary Centre was announced as the 2024 Gold Best UK Vet award winners by Susie Samuel. 

Following a closing statement from Susie, of course, the award ceremony could not come to a close without what now seems to be a tradition, Mark Picton from Avenue Vets, opening a bottle of champagne with a sword! 

As the day ended with the after party held at the Boco Bar above the Paintworks, we reflected on the celebration of positivity that the awards had achieved in what can sometimes be a challenging industry to work in. These awards have once again highlighted the exceptional dedication and care provided by our nation’s veterinary professionals, showcasing the absolute best in the industry. 

To all the winners and shortlisted practices – congratulations! Your hard work, passion, and unwavering dedication to animal welfare set a remarkable standard for the profession. The BestUKVet Awards are unique in that they are based on genuine client feedback.

Reviews play a crucial role in recognising the efforts of veterinary practices. They reflect the real experiences of pet owners, making the awards a true testament to the quality of care provided.  Positive reviews not only help practices gain recognition but also build trust and credibility within your local community. For practices looking to be part of the 2025 awards, focusing on client satisfaction and encouraging reviews will make all the difference. 

To assist with this, our team at VetsDigital offer a range of services designed to help veterinary practices like yours enhance your online presence and gather valuable client feedback, including social media support, email marketing and website design. 

Get in touch with our team to see how we can help you reach that Gold spot!