01425 485615
Southern Counties Veterinary Services
Nursing
We have a very strong and experienced team of more than 25 nurses and nursing assistants. Four senior Veterinary Nurses run the nursing department, and they are supported by both fully qualified and trainee Veterinary Nurses (we are a RCVS Training Practice). Many of our Nurses have further qualifications, eg the VN Diploma in Surgery or Medicine. They, in turn, are ably assisted by the Nursing Assistants, many of whom are making their first steps in Practice towards becoming VNs.
Sue Robinson RVN, DipAVN(Surgery), D32/33 - Practice Manager / Head Nurse
Sue spent the first 7 years of her nursing career in a general small animal practice in Edgbaston. There she gained her Veterinary Nurse qualification and went on to gain the D32/33 certificate in nurse training assessment. In August 2000 she moved to Willows Referral Centre in Solihull where she gained her Surgical Nursing Diploma. In May 2006, she moved to Ringwood to join Cedar Orthopaedic Referrals where she became Head Orthopaedic Nurse. When Cedar Referrals moved to new premises and became SCVS in 2008, Sue was appointed Head Nurse, and played a large role in setting up the new Practice. In August 2009 she was promoted to Practice Manager whilst continuing her role as Head Nurse.
Jo Webb BSc, RVN, A1 (Nursing Supervisor)
Jo gained the Royal Veterinary College Veterinary Nursing degree, graduating with Honours in July 2006. She then joined Cedar Veterinary Group which introduced her to referral practice. In 2007 she became the cardiology nurse, a role she enjoyed immensely and gained a huge amount of experience from. In 2008 she moved to SCVS and began working with the orthopaedic team broadening her surgical nursing skills. She recently gained the A1 assessor qualification & is now Senior Staff Nurse, responsible for staff training & day-to-day organisation of our in-patient procedures.
Clare Whellams RVN, A1 (Senior Surgical Nurse)
Clare started her nursing career in general small animal practice, and after qualifying, she travelled around Australia working in both small animal and large animal practices. On returning she became a locum and accepted a position at a referral hospital in Bristol. There, she became orthopaedic nurse for several years, gaining experience in MRI, CT and neurology. She later moved to Cedar Referrals, and then to SCVS when we opened in 2008.
She has a particular interest in surgery, especially joint replacement procedures & is our Senior Surgical Nurses, taking responsibility for theatre organisation.
Justine Robertson RVN (Infection Control Supervisor)
Justine started her nursing career at Moor Cottage Veterinary Hospital in 2000. After training and qualifying in 2003 she was appointed the Head Nurse position which she enjoyed for a further 3 years. In 2006 she moved home to Ringwood and started a new challenge at Cedar Veterinary Group as a Healthcare Veterinary Nurse seeing clients and their pets for a variety of general healthcare problems and services.
She was at SCVS when we opened in October 2008 and enjoys all aspects of nursing in all the disciplines we provide. She is our Infection Control Supervisor and co-ordinates supplier orders.
Karen Church RVN (Senior Neurology Nurse)
Karen has been nursing since 2001. She began her training at UWE on the BSc VN course, then going on to finish at a foster practice in Hampshire. In 2005 began working at Cedar Referrals as part of the Orthopaedic team lead by Harry Scott, where she gained valuable skills and knowledge in both surgical and ward nursing. She then moved in 2008 with the opening of SCVS. In December 2010 she began a City and Guilds certificate in Emergency and Critical Care, and is due to sit the exams next year.
Karen’s recent move into the role of senior neurology nurse has meant she can follow her interests in spinal patient care/rehabilitation, diagnostic imaging and surgery.
Katie Foley RVN, DipAVN (SA) (Senior Surgical Nurse; Infection Control Supervisor)
Katie started her career at Priory Veterinary Hospital and qualified in 2007. She then moved to Cedar Veterinary Group as a general nurse and was offered a position as part of Cedar Referrals. In 2008 she moved to SCVS and gained the Diploma of Higher Education in Advanced Clinical Nursing with distinction in 2011. Katie works alongside Clare as a senior surgical nurse, organising the daily running of our theatres and is also responsible for infection control. She enjoys all aspects of surgery, but has a particular interest in orthopaedics and anaesthesia
Claire Holiday RVN (Senior Medicine Nurse)
Claire spent the first seven years of her veterinary nursing career at a large mixed first opinion practice in Hampshire where she gained her VN qualification. She joined SCVS in July 2009 as a general nurse gaining valuable skills within each discipline prior to specialising in medical nursing. As Senior Medical Nurse, Claire is responsible for the daily organisation of medical procedures and inpatients as well as stock control. Claire is currently studying for the RVC Graduate Diploma In Professional and Clinical Veterinary Nursing and is due to sit her final exams in September 2012.