PET owners can take advantage of new weekend opening hours at a veterinary practice, which has undergone a major makeover to improve the facilities for both clients and animals.
Best Friends Veterinary Practice in Oak Hill, Woodford Green, has invested in state-of-the-art equipment including both a digital x-ray and ultrasound machine as well as a modern refit of its reception area and dog and cat kennels.
In response to demand from patients, the practice is now open from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays, in addition to the regular weekday hours.
Best Friends Group area manager Kelly Smyth said: “The refurbishment of the practice has really transformed the building giving it a brighter, more modern feel and creating extra space for facilities and equipment.
“We know that many of our clients work from Monday to Friday, so we are delighted to now be open seven days a week to care for pets.
“The introduction of a digital x-ray machine at the practice is a great investment as it saves us lots of time, has high level of accuracy for examinations and provides increased comfort for pets.
“We also have new a back office for the management team, which freed up a room to be converted into a dedicated cat ward, which greatly reduces any anxiety that they can be prone to when round dogs. We also benefit from a large garden at the back for dogs to walk around.”
Other investment includes an in-house laboratory and a refurbished staff room.
The veterinary team at the practice is led by head veterinary nurse Mafalda Ribeiro and resident veterinary surgeon Michael Zywicki. Mafalda has a passion for training and the practice supports the next generation of veterinary nurses as a training centre.
Malfalda said: “We have a great partnership with the Royal Veterinary College and students working towards a degree or diploma in nursing join us to gain real life work experience.
“There is a general shortage of veterinary nurses in the industry, so we aim to educate and inspire our trainees in a fun environment. Hopefully they then come back to join the Best Friends practice group once they have completed their studies.”
A partnership with the Cats Protection charity sees the Oak Hill surgery care for many cats per week. The cats are brought in after being found stray or abandoned and given a health check ready to be found a new home.
An open day for the practice, which holds GP status with the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme is being planned for the summer. To speak to the Best Friends Veterinary Group team at Oak Hill call 0208 527 0034.
For media enquiries, please contact Mark Pearson, VetPartners PR and Communications Manager, on 01733 352200 or email mark.pearson@vetpartners.co.uk