Greencross Vet Hospital (GVH), at the University of Melbourne’s Werribee campus, has been awarded the Australian Small Animal Veterinarians (ASAV) Hospital of Excellence Accreditation – placing it among fewer than 50 veterinary hospitals nationally to achieve the distinction.
The accreditation, valid for four years, is administered by the Australian Veterinary Association and recognises veterinary hospitals that meet or exceed rigorous standards across clinical care, governance, infrastructure, and operational protocols.
Fiona Witham, Clinical Director at GVH, said the accreditation was a significant milestone for the team.
“It’s a meaningful recognition of the passion, dedication, and tireless work our team puts in every day to deliver the highest standard of care,” she said.
“To be one of only around 50 hospitals nationally to receive this level of accreditation is a real honour. It reflects the commitment of every team member to clinical excellence, continuous improvement, and making a real difference to the animals and clients we care for.”
Standout Features from the Accreditation Assessment
- Purpose-built infrastructure and advanced diagnostics: The hospital features specialist wards, comprehensive imaging capabilities including CT and MRI, and exceeds all required ASAV facility benchmarks.
- Robust clinical governance: Policies and procedures are embedded across all services, supporting best-practice patient care and operational consistency.
- Exemplary medical records: Documentation standards met all assessment criteria, supporting clinical continuity and case auditing.
- Leadership and culture: Dr Witham’s leadership was noted as instrumental in fostering a culture of quality, staff development, and veterinary teaching.
A Centre for Clinical Education
As part of a commercial partnership between the University of Melbourne and Greencross Pet Wellness Company, GVH operates both a general practice clinic and a 24-hour specialist and emergency hospital. The facility plays a dual role – delivering high-level veterinary services and providing clinical training to final-year veterinary students.
Each year, more than 130 University of Melbourne students complete rotations at GVH, and 75 per cent of the hospital’s internship positions were filled by university graduates in the past year.
Treating over 11,000 cases annually, GVH is a trusted referral centre and continues to expand its reach as a leading hub for specialist veterinary services in Victoria.
The ASAV Hospital Accreditation Program evaluates hospitals on a comprehensive set of standards, including:
- Patient management, nursing care and clinical documentation
- Surgical, anaesthesia and dentistry protocols
- Diagnostic imaging and in-house laboratory services
- Emergency preparedness and WHS compliance
- Staff wellbeing, training, and professional development
Facilities must also submit detailed case studies and undergo an in-depth site inspection to demonstrate excellence in clinical care and operational leadership.
