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Nursing Staff

This practice employs fully qualified veterinary nurses and trainee nurses. They perform important roles monitoring anaesthetics and assisting the veterinary surgeons during operating sessions. They also play a pivotal role in nursing hospitalised patients helping their recovery from illness or surgery. Some nurses also hold clinics to assist owners with medicating pets, helping overweight animals to lose weight, amongst other services. They also perform reception duties to provide advice to pet owners.

Sarah initially joined the practice in July 1985 and qualified as a veterinary nurse in 1988. She moved to Winchester for 3 years before rejoining us in 1991. She currently works part-time and is in charge of nurse training and client communication. Sarah regularly holds Puppy Parties at Walnut Tree and also spends much time on paperwork involving pet insurance claims.

Deborah joined the practice in July 2005. She qualified as a veterinary nurse in January 2000 and has spent some time working at a specialist referral practice. Deborah has a keen interest in ensuring our hospitalised patients receive exceptional in-patient care. She is in charge of the kennel area. Deborah is hoping to start studying for the Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing shortly. She also holds qualifications that enable her to train student veterinary nurses.

Sandra qualified as a veterinary nurse at a local practice in May 2004 shortly before joining us in June 2004 initially as part of our emergency team. She left in July 2005 to tour the world before rejoining our day nursing team in May 2006. Sandra has achieved levels 1 & 2 of Hills nutritional adviser program. She has recently taken on responsibilities including ensuring the operating theatres run smoothly.

Nadine initially started working with us in February 2001 as a trainee having previously spent time at a different practice. She fully qualified in July 2005 as a veterinary nurse and also holds the National Diploma in Animal Care. Nadine has been actively involved in running puppy parties with Sarah.

Jasmine qualified as a veterinary nurse in 1970 and joined our practice nursing team in 1979. She took over the role of head nurse at our Stoke Road surgery on the opening of the Walnut Tree hospital.

Clare joined the practice in November 2003 to start training as a veterinary nurse having no previous experience working with animals. She qualified as a veterinary nurse in May 2006.

Julie previously worked as a nurse in a local veterinary practice as well as for the animal charities the PDSA and National Canine Defence League. She qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in December 2000 before joining our practice in August 2002. She returned to nursing duties at our Walnut Tree Hospital as Head Nurse in May 2006 having spent the previous period managing our Willen Branch. Julie recently opted to return to our Willen surgery. She is an assessor for training veterinary nurses and also has a special interest in caring for tortoises.

Kelly finished her GCSE's in 2002 and immediately joined us as a trainee nurse. In June 2003 she passed her Pre-Veterinary Nursing examination and passed her final nursing examinations in the summer of 2006. Outside work Kelly is also learning sign language.

Laura joined us in August 2006 (initially as a locum veterinary nurse). She completed both a National Diploma and National Certificate in 2002 at Shuttleworth College. Laura qualified as a veterinary nurse in September 2005 having worked at the PDSA Petsavers clinic in Northampton from 2003 until 2006. She has completed several courses including the Hills Nutritional Advisor Program. She has a particular interest in medical nursing.

Alison recently qualified as a veterinary nurse and joined us in September 2006. She previously trained at a local small animal practice.

Lee-Ann joined us in January 2007 to work as part of our out of normal hours service. She has previously worked for other veterinary emergency clinics. Lee-Ann qualified as a veterinary nurse in March 2006. She is now working for "Vets Now" as part of their emergency service but on occasions will be helping Chris Parratt with cardiology cases for us.

Cara started her first job in the veterinary field with us in June 2004. She completed her initial nursing examinations in 2005 and passed her 1st year nursing examinations in the summer of 2006. She recently passed her final year examinations to fully qualify as a Veterinary Nurse.

Lisa joined the practice in September 2006 having previously worked in a veterinary practice near Hitchin. She qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in the summer of 2007.

Katey joined us in January 2008 from a local small animal practice where she originally trained to become a veterinary nurse. Katey qualified in 2006 as a veterinary nurse.