VBJ articles

October 2022

Southfields Veterinary Specialists opened the doors of its huge new referral centre last month – one of the largest facilities of its kind in Europe. It marks the end of a five-year journey for all those involved with the project, but as VBJ discovered when we paid a visit, the best things really do come to those who wait…

When and how to sell a practice that may have taken many years to build up is one of the biggest decisions many owners will ever have to take. Selling up can often place owners in a minefield of morals and money, so it is important to get the right advice and consider all the options carefully…

25 mins

Adjusting to the demands of practice life can be a daunting prospect for many new graduates. It is vital to have the right support in place to smooth what can be a tricky transition from classroom to consult room…

27 mins

September 2022

This Insight feature discusses the latest trends when it comes to buying diagnostic imaging equipment.

15 mins

When Northlands Veterinary Hospital relocated to new premises in Kettering town centre last year, it didn’t move very far. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the old site, but a million miles away in every other sense, as VBJ discovered when we paid a visit last month...

34 mins

While MRI and CT have long been seen as the preserve of referral centres, a growing number of first opinion businesses have begun investing in these advanced imaging modalities. Big benefits exist for practices going down this route, but also significant risks for those making such as big investment without taking a close look at all the finer details…

26 mins

Complaints, about charges, congested the phone lines and excessive waiting times are all symptoms of a veterinary practice that is not working as well as it could. This can lead to frustrated clients and a stressed veterinary team – the perfect recipe for a failing practice...

18 mins

This Building Services Insight feature discusses building the foundations for successful practice by creating the right impression.

14 mins

August 2022

Jenny Reason and Carly Day had no experience of running a business and only a relatively small amount of money when they opened Bury St Edmunds Veterinary Centre three years ago. However, the practice has since grown into the perfect example of what can be achieved with a lot of hard work and little bit of love…

32 mins

With vets and nurses increasingly hard to come by, it has never been more important for practices to ensure they retain talent. But this can only be done through good leadership and a positive culture where everyone’s voice can be heard, as Rich Casey explains…

Recruitment has become a term that strikes fear into the heart of many employers – particularly since it’s now apparently a prefix to the word “crisis”. But practices can do plenty of things to stand out from the crowd and boost their appeal to potential new employees…

July 2022

The global pandemic has significantly strained our mental health and well-being, affecting people’s work effectiveness, relationships with colleagues, and connections to their world. For business owners, prioritising your employees’ psychological and physical well-being produces improved retention, productivity, and a healthier workplace…

17 mins

Despite traditionalist outlooks and layers of – sometimes contradictory – regulation, farmers and vets are working together to protect production animal health better than ever before. To give you some examples of how, innovation specialist Greg Dickens takes a look at how technology will transform life on the farm in five years’ time…

26 mins

The reputation of the insurance industry is one of odds stacked against the insured through contract terms. It’s hardly surprising, then, that some might be tempted to cut corners when seeking cover…

24 mins

Changing the fortunes of a large veterinary hospital can be like trying to do a 180 in an ocean liner – it’s a slow and complicated task. But the team at Wear Referrals has done just that, and the practice is once again steaming in the right direction, as VBJ discovered…

37 mins

June 2022

Our series exploring six core dynamics shaping the veterinary profession today and in the future continues with a discussion on operational opportunities.

The benefits of microchipping are well understood within the veterinary profession and by the majority of pet owners, too. But with legislative change on the way and new services likely to expand the potential of the technology, it’s always worth keeping up with the latest developments…

20 mins

The veterinary sector continues to face numerous challenges, including vet shortages, price inflation and falling practitioner well-being, to name but a few. Against this backdrop, Ernie Ward asks how vets can continue to work effectively, and balance the necessary demands of making a profit and serving a purpose…

23 mins

When most people set up a practice, their goals for the new enterprise are usually relatively limited. But the Nupsala Musculoskeletal Clinic in Melton Mowbray is part of a much grander and ambitious plan, as VBJ discovered when we paid a visit last month...

May 2022

Finance and regulation is the fourth part in our series exploring six core dynamics shaping the veterinary profession today and in the future.

86 mins