A century on and vets are in good health
Wagonway Road Staff Team. Back row left to right; John Macfarlane, Farm Vet and Director, Ruth Dixon, Receptionist. Front row; Claire Riddell and Stuart Morris, both Farm Vets.
One of the first purpose-built veterinary surgeries in the country has had a major refurbishment.
Alnorthumbria Veterinary Group’s Wagonway Road practice in Alnwick has been upgraded and now has the technology to treat a full range of domestic pets, equine and farm animals.
The refurbishment took nine months to complete, but the development has been in the planning for 10 years as the group has expanded across the North East.
It is believed that the Wagonway Road site, opened in 1897 by George Craik MRCVS, was one of the first purpose-built veterinary surgeries in the country.
The surgery will now house three divisions – small animal, large animal and equine. The specialist equine hospital will still be based at Fairmoor. The new premises can offer full laboratory services.
Alnorthumbria director John Macfarlane said: “The refurbishments made to our Wagonway Road practice mean that we can offer many more services from one central location. It will be equipped with top class facilities and will be run by a team who all have significant experience in treating Northumberland’s animals.”
“We are all really excited to be moving back into Wagonway Road and it is a great achievement for the veterinary group. We can now offer a wider range of treatments and services for our clients and put our expertise to the very best use. I would just like to express a quick note of thanks to all of the farmers for their patience while the farm vets have been in unit 5b. And also to the vets, nurses and support staff who, despite it not being ideal surgery space, enjoyed their time there in what affectionately became known as the love shack.”
The move is another milestone for the veterinary group that was formed by a merger between Aln Veterinary Group and Northumbria Veterinary Partnership almost five years ago. The Wagonway renovations had been in the pipeline before the two practices merged and is the final piece in the jigsaw of upgrades made by the new business.
The group employs 28 vets, including longest-serving team member David Young, who after many years in mixed practice is now one of the small animal directors. David started working at Wagonway in 1978.
Those who were instrumental in the redevelopment include Richard Sullivan, of Sullivan Associates in Amble, Craven-Smith Construction, of Ulgham, and the design team of Simon Caple and Andrew Sawyer.
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Weather for Northumberland
Wednesday 22 May 2013
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