Brian Faulkner, principal of Melton Vets was recently awarded the UK Veterinary Surgeon of the Year award for 2008 at the ‘Veterinary Oscars’ ceremony sponsored by Petplan pet insurance in Birmingham on April 3rd. The annual awards recognise the nation’s outstanding veterinary talent amongst its 15,000 members and 4000 practices. 

Brian grew up in Northern Ireland and now lives in Woodbridge with his wife and two children. Brian set up his small-animal veterinary practice 2002, Melton Veterinary Surgery. The practice was a runner-up in The UK Veterinary Practice of the Year awards in 2005 and again in 2007 - remarkable feat for such a young practice. Brian himself was runner up in the individual vet of the year competition last year as well.

Picture: Brian Faulkner, left, receiving the award from Nic Blayney, President of the British Veterinary Association.

Brian’s said “It goes without saying I am delighted to win the award. Whilst the award recognises an individual it is ultimately a reflection of the support I have. I couldn’t do the job by myself! I have an excellent and dedicated team who work with me.  My wife Georgia is very tolerant of the anti-social hours.”

The judges were impressed with Brian’s understanding and compassion for his clients’ pets.  He receives hundreds of cards and letters expressing appreciation of his efforts, care and dedication.  Brian was applauded in particular for the effort he puts into aspiring members of the profession at a grass roots level.

He provides more than his fair share of work experience placements to school pupils as he sees it essential that vets go into the profession with their eyes wide open given the increasing levels of stress related illness in the profession.  

“Despite the glamour of what we see on TV, veterinary can be a tough job. ...not so much a job as a way of life. It is not all as jolly as Rolf’s Animal Hospital or as romantic as James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small and I believe that school kids... need to know about some of the stresses they will have to work with. 

Veterinary surgeons have the highest suicide rate of any other profession and four times higher than the general public.  The big focus for kids wanting to go into veterinary is the three A’s needed at A-levels but being able to even cope as a vet, never mind excel as one, is about so much more than passing exams.  The breadth of inter-personal skills required as well as managing, motivating and maintaining oneself as a ‘professional’ are ... difficult to quantify and track but are absolutely vital to any successful professional career.