Derbyshire veterinary centre makes history with UK’s first BVA gold accreditation
In a landmark achievement for the veterinary profession, swadlincote veterinary centre in derbyshire has become the first practice in the UK to receive the prestigious gold Accreditation under the British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) Great Workplaces scheme. The accolade marks a significant milestone, recognising the centre’s exceptional commitment to fostering a positive and supportive working environment.
The accreditation process is part of the BVA’s wider initiative to support veterinary practices in cultivating workplaces where teams feel valued, supported, and motivated. The scheme assesses organisations against a rigorous framework comprising four core areas: health and wellbeing, leadership and management, culture, and learning and development.
Swadlincote Veterinary Centre, part of the nationwide Pet Health Club network, underwent a comprehensive evaluation that involved detailed assessments and interviews with staff members at all levels. According to the official evaluation report, the centre excelled in all categories, with particular commendation for its outstanding leadership and management practices. The accreditor also noted the practice’s unwavering dedication to flexible working arrangements, its deeply ingrained culture of teamwork, and its continual drive for professional improvement.
Elizabeth Mullineaux, President of the BVA, expressed her delight at the centre’s achievement, describing it as a shining example for the industry.
“We’re delighted to see Swadlincote Veterinary Centre become the first veterinary workplace to achieve Gold accreditation through the Great Workplaces by BVA scheme,” said Ms Mullineaux. “Congratulations to the whole practice team for this incredible recognition. Creating positive working environments and targeting areas for improvement are key to addressing the ongoing workforce challenges around recruitment and retention. We hope this first Gold accreditation inspires others to strive towards gaining recognition as workplaces where vet teams thrive.”
The recognition comes at a critical time for the veterinary profession, which continues to face challenges around staff wellbeing, retention, and recruitment. The BVA’s Great Workplaces initiative aims to provide a structured approach for practices to evaluate and enhance their internal culture and support mechanisms.
Ingrid Stevenson, Clinical Director at Swadlincote Veterinary Centre, said the accolade had come as a pleasant surprise, having initially approached the process with the goal of gaining constructive feedback.
“While we knew the practice was doing well, we didn’t go into this process expecting Gold at all,” Ms Stevenson admitted. “My practice manager and I were just both really keen to get some feedback and to find out what more we could do to help the team.”
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She emphasised that although the practice holds several clinical accreditations, it is the team who are at the heart of achieving and maintaining the high standards the centre is known for.
“I believe the team should be looked after, recognised, and rewarded for their hard work and for going above and beyond when necessary. The team were really pleased when I shared the news; it has certainly been good for morale and a positive outcome to share with potential new recruits.”
Ms Stevenson also praised the accreditation process itself, highlighting how the experience provided valuable insights into areas for further development.
“The accreditation process was a thorough assessment of the practice, and our accreditor made us all feel at ease during the interviews,” she added. “While we achieved Gold, which was unexpected, we have also learnt of areas to develop further over the coming months, so it’s been a hugely positive experience for our practice.”
As the first practice to receive this accolade, Swadlincote Veterinary Centre has set a new benchmark in veterinary workplace excellence, offering inspiration to other practices across the UK keen to create thriving and supportive environments for their teams.
