Rebecca shares this latest news about an Isle of Wight business winning the Queen’s Award. Ed
One of the UK’s first truly mobile veterinary clinics has been awarded a Queen’s Award for Innovation in the 2016 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.
Husband and wife team
Launched in 2013 by vet Dan Forster and his wife Kirsty, a veterinary nurse, Mobile Vet offers a 24/7 mobile service to clients and their animals on the Isle of Wight.
The team work out of custom-designed vehicles, as well as their fully equipped static veterinary clinic in Newport.
Islander Dan worked in practice in Wiltshire and on the Island before deciding to set up his own practice with Kirsty. Their vision was to create the first truly mobile clinic which could provide all of the services normally provided in a traditional clinic rather than just some.
Using the latest technology
The veterinary team utilise the latest technology and veterinary software to communicate with their clients and work from vehicles specifically designed by Dan and Kirsty with equipment including:
- A wall-mounted anaesthetic machine
- Secure cupboards for surgical tools, analysis machines, diagnostic equipment and consumables
- An on-board pharmacy
- Heated kennels for recovering patients
- A dental machine with integral polisher and scaler
Outstanding achievement
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are awarded to businesses for outstanding achievement in International Trade, Innovation and Sustainable Development. Winners of the Innovation Awards are judged to have shown outstanding success as the result of an innovation. The 2016 Awards were announced by Her Majesty The Queen on her 90th birthday on 21 April.
Dan and Kirsty Forster will attend an official reception at Buckingham Palace in July and the Award will be presented by the Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight on a date to be confirmed.
Commenting, Dan Forster said,
“We wanted to offer a caring and professional service to Islanders and their pets while also maintaining a work/life balance following the birth of our first child, Lyra.
“Mobile Vet is much more than a vet driving round the Island providing basic services. We can do almost everything from our vehicles but, when necessary, we utilise our fully equipped static clinic.
“We aim to offer a highly professional veterinary service using state-of-the-art equipment which is also very convenient to our clients. It is also often less stressful for our patients as we bring our service and expertise right to their door.”
Crowning glory
He added,
“We have been fortunate enough to receive excellent feedback from our clients and derive an immense amount of job satisfaction with the way we work. Our success has enabled us to expand and receiving this Award is the crowning glory.
“It just goes to show what can be achieved with exceptional hard work and effort; a formidable team and the support of family and friends. The Award is for everyone who helps to make our business great.”
