2012 brings some major changes to Milton Keynes Veterinary Group with the retirement of a Partner and Practice Manager and the addition of a New Partner and three new veterinary surgeons.
Graham Richmond left the Partnership on 31st December and is replaced by Andre Cilliers who has been with us since 2002.
Victoria Costa is now in full charge as Practice Manager with the retirement of Judy Ammon.
Heather Smith is left us in January and is replaced by Louise Barnett who qualified in 2011 from Nottingham University. Louise used to "See Practice" with us whilst training to be a veterinary surgeon.
Rob Pope is currently covering the maternity period for Susan Mountford but will be leaving in April. The maternity cover will be continued by Sarah Austwick. Sarah qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 2008 and spent a year as a House Officer at Davies Veterinary Specialists before working in Bedfordshire in a mixed veterinary practice.
We are also employing an additional veterinary surgeon in March. Anja Peters is joining us from a small animal, hospital based practice in Northamptonshire. Anja qualified in 2008 from Dublin.
Graham will be assisting us throughout the year whenever we need extra help including to assist with orthopaedic surgery.
Judy will also be assisting us as required throughout the year including a partial return to nursing duties in April!
We welcome all our new staff and send best wishes to Graham and Judy in their partial retirement and to Heather in her future career.
AUTUMN 2011
Further Staff Changes
Rob Pope has joined us to help cover the maternity leave of Susan who is now off for a year. Rob has previously worked for us on Saturdays.
Susie Bone is also returning to work with us as a veterinary nurse. Susie trained with us when Stoke Road was our main surgery and after maternity leave briefly returned to us to work night duties. She moved to work with Vets Now who took over the emergency work for our Practice but is keen to return to work days. She will be working to cover Jess who will be going on maternity leave in 2012.
We are sad to say that Heather has decided to move away after 5 years of working with us. Heather has built up a strong client base at Stoke Road as well as having treated many difficult skin cases for us. We wish her every success in her future career.
Graham Richmond, the current longest standing Partner of the Practice, will be retiring from the Partnership at the end of this year. Graham will be returning later in 2012 to help us during busy periods as well as assisting with orthopaedic surgery when required.
Judy Ammon will also be retiring from her role as Practice Manager at the end of the year. Judy will also contiinue to help us in the future when we are busy.
We hope that they will both enjoy their extra free time but obviously they will continue to be seen around the Practice for the foreseeable future in different roles.
They will continue in their current roles until January 1st 2012.
CHANGES TO PET TRAVEL SCHEME FROM JANUARY 1st 2012
There are some important changes taking place in January 2012 regarding pets (cats, dogs and ferrets) travelling from abroad into the United Kingdom. The regulations are different depending on the country from which a pet travels so please ensure you check with DEFRA the latest rules.
A guide to the changes can be downloaded from DEFRA by clicking here:
At present, all pets require a blood test after a rabies vaccination to ensure adequate protection has been achieved. There is also a 6 month wait from the blood sample date before animals can enter the UK.
As of January 1st 2012, pets coming from the EU and certain non-EU countries “listed” in the EU Regulation (e.g. USA, Australia and Japan) will no longer require a post-vaccination blood test and the pre-entry waiting period will be reduced from six months to 21 days.
Pets coming from other non-EU countries which are not “listed” in the Regulation (e.g. China and South Africa) will be entitled to enter the UK for the first time from 1 January 2012 without having to undergo six months compulsory quarantine provided they meet specific entry criteria.
CHECKS AND OPTIONS WHEN ENTERING UK
Under the new rules, pets entering or re-entering the UK will continue to be checked in order to ensure that they meet the requirements of the Scheme. If a pet fails to meet the entry requirements there are three options: the pet can be placed in quarantine, re-exported, or destroyed. It is anticipated that the majority of owners will opt for quarantine.
Voluntary quarantine will also continue as an option for those not able to meet the entry requirements, for example, pet owners who need to travel with their pets at short notice. This will enable pet owners to voluntarily place their animals into quarantine (where they will be treated in order to comply with the entry requirements) and apply for an import licence beforehand as they do at present.
Tick Treatment
At present, pets must be treated by a veterinary surgeon 24-48 hours before entering the UK with an approved tick treatment.
As of January 1st 2012, tick treatments will no longer be required under the Scheme. However, We strongly advise that prophylactic tick treatment is continued to protect pets from illnesses that are currently not found or are widely present in the UK.
Tapeworm Treatment
At present, pets must be treated by a veterinary surgeon for the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis before entering the UK.
This tapeworm is not currently found in the UK and a final decision has not yet been made at the European level as to whether the UK can still insist on this treatment to protect the UK from this parasite that can affect human health.
The European Commission has indicated that its proposals (expected shortly) would allow the UK to retain tapeworm controls with a requirement that animals be treated between one and five days before entry or re-entry into the UK.
MKVG Sponsors New Football Team for Girls
Great Horwood FC was founded in 1966 but until now has never had a female team. 2 girls joined 2 seasons ago in the U6s but found they were also the only girls in their whole league. They therefore drummed up support amongst classmates and fellow brownies so that in April 9 girls regularly started training together. They have enjoyed it so much that next season Great Horwood Ravens will be registering a team in the Milton Keynes and District U10s Girls league. This Saturday (17th July) they were presented with their official kit by their sponsors Milton Keynes Veterinary Group and although the kit is the traditional blue and black stripes of the club, the girls have made it their own by the addition of neon pink numbers! The photo shows the team with the sponsors Debbie and Phil Kilkenny of MK Vet Group.
Great Horwood FC was founded in 1966 but until now has never had a female team. 2 girls joined 2 seasons ago in the U6s but found they were also the only girls in their whole league. They therefore drummed up support amongst classmates and fellow brownies so that in April 9 girls regularly started training together. They have enjoyed it so much that next season Great Horwood Ravens will be registering a team in the Milton Keynes and District U10s Girls league. This Saturday (17th July) they were presented with their official kit by their sponsors Milton Keynes Veterinary Group and although the kit is the traditional blue and black stripes of the club, the girls have made it their own by the addition of neon pink numbers! The photo shows the team with the sponsors Debbie and Phil Kilkenny of MK Vet Group.