Vetoquinol Responsible Use Of Antimicrobials In Food Producing Animals Award – Winners Announced

The Onswtich bus 'Bertha' outside Larkmead Vetoquinol UK Ltd recently announced the winners of the ‘Responsible use of Antimicrobials in Food Producing Animals Award’. Veterinary practices from across the UK were encouraged to apply and promote the positive measures undertaken at practice level to minimise the development of antimicrobial resistance. Vetoquinol UK Ltd was very pleased to be involved with the ‘Responsible use of Antimicrobials in Food Producing Animals Award’ in conjunction with Forcyl®. Forcyl is an innovative evolution of the marbofloxacin range of specialities for cattle, with a patented high concentration solution and optimised dosing regimen. Forcyl was designed with targeted but sustainable therapy in mind. The aim is to treat affected animals early to achieve clinical efficacy and pathogen eradication. A short acting treatment minimises the risk of resistance amongst commensal flora. Entries were judged by John Fitzgerald RUMA Secretary General, John Fishwick MA VetMB DCHP DipECBHM MRCVS and Professor David Barratt BSc BVSc DBR DCHP DipECBHM FHEA MRCVS. Regional winners were selected by the judges for the South of England, North of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Each regional winner won a bespoke days training, covering business and customer care skills worth £2500 by Onswitch. The overall winner prize included the bespoke trainer day with the addition of the Onswitch MOT worth £6500, which included: practice audit based on the balanced score card to include customer feedback via Vox Pop, Net Promoter Score feedback, staff audit against a key set of questions to help focus on training needs, in practice consultant for a day, marketing materials overview and finance overview. South England and Overall Winner Justine Shotton, Larkmead Veterinary Group, Oxon North England Joanne Bates, Scott Mitchell & Associates, Hexham Scotland Morven Imray, Struthers and Scott, Doune Northern Ireland John Hill, Glenburn Veterinary Surgeons, Co Antrim All entries for the competition were complemented by the judges; however, one entry stood out from the rest, from Justine Shotton, Larkmead Veterinary Group. This entry was shown to demonstrate ‘an excellent understanding of the critical issues surrounding the responsible use of antimicrobials supported by impressive measures the practice have taken to address these’ and was therefore awarded to be the overall winner. John Fishwick, Royal Veterinary College commented “It was good to see a range of entries for this competition. The winning entries really impressed us with the practical and innovative approaches they had taken to this very important issue; really making an impact in how medicines are being used by their clients.” David Barrett, Professor of Bovine Medicine, Production and Reproduction at the University of Bristol commented, “The onus is on all of us in the veterinary profession to use antimicrobials responsibly and I’d like to commend Vetoquinol UK Ltd for raising awareness of this vitally important issue through the successful running of this competition as well as congratulate the worthy winners.” Inside 'Bertha' Overall winner, Justine Shotton commented "The Forcyl competition prize included a visit to the practice for a day by Onswitch's Bertha training Bus.  Nearly twenty members of staff attended the sessions, which were not only really fun but also very informative and useful, highlighting the different ways in which we can bond clients to the practice for life.  Everyone who attended enjoyed the sessions and it was a good chance to refine skills and therefore to provide an even better client care service.  Many thanks to Onswitch for providing the training and to Vetoquinol for such a great prize!" Forcyl® contains marbofloxacin. Legal category: POM-V

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