The Pet Vet, a 12 practice group with branches in the Midlands, London, Bristol, Southampton and Portsmouth, is rolling out 'First Opinion Plus', a care model which combines traditional first opinion services with specific clinical capabilities otherwise only found in a referral centre or via a peripatetic vet.

The model was trialled at the group's Rotherham practice where it has introduced advanced soft tissue surgery, 128-slice CT scanning, orthopaedics and spinal surgery, cardiac scanning and ophthalmology.

To offer the service, the group has invested £280K in post-graduate qualifications for its vets and £130k in equipment over the past 18 months. 

The Pet Vet Says that not only does the ‘First Opinion Plus’ model expand the group’s ability to serve more pets in their communities, it has also boosted recruitment and retention of clinical colleagues by offering rewarding technical career pathways in addition to traditional leadership routes. 

Emily Chapman, Area Manager at The Pet Vet, said: “The implementation of the ‘first opinion plus’ model at The Pet Vet Rotherham has transformed our offering to customers and referring surgeries.

We’ve taken that success and tailored it for each of our 12 surgeries, so every local community we serve benefits from the best of both worlds: trusted first opinion care and advanced services under one roof, as well as a stable and motivated team of colleagues that are supported in pursuing their clinical passions.”

www.thepetvet.co.uk/careers.

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