Bridge Referrals Veterinary Centre celebrate their second anniversary!

On the 31st of October 2024, Bridge Referrals celebrated the second anniversary of their multidisciplinary veterinary referrals centre in Boldon Colliery. Bridge Referrals is privately owned and operated. From the beginning the objective was to build a modern veterinary referrals facility that would significantly enhance patient care and overall patient experience. 

After investing £3.6 million over a 24 month period, the completion of this ultra modern referral centre in June 2024 greatly increased the availability of high quality care for pets in the North East of England. The team has placed Boldon Colliery front and centre of veterinary care.

A Growing Team Dedicated to Exceptional Care

Bridge Referrals Veterinary Centre has expanded its team over the last year with more nurses, vets, and administrative staff, attracting leading EBVS® European & RCVS recognised Veterinary Specialists, Mark Gosling and Harry Swales.

The Ophthalmology department has grown with the addition of Olivia Grice in February 2024 and Bethany Deadman joined the Internal Medicine department in June 2024. Bridge Referrals were pleased to announce that Karl Bovenizer, who had been an integral part of the team as a part-time cardiologist, joined full time in August, meaning patients throughout all their treatment have access to a cardiologist if any issues arrive. 

Toni Moon, a valued member of the team who has been with Bridge Referrals since the very start, moved into Practice Manager position in December 2023 and Jess Bell joined as Clinical Nursing Coordinator in July 2024. Becky Snelson recently joined the team as a Soft Tissue Surgical Intern and she will work closely with Mark Gosling. 

One of the most exciting developments this year has been the continued expansion of the nursing team. Their expertise and dedication are at the heart of the provision of exceptional care. With more nurses joining the team, Bridge Referrals are able to offer even more comprehensive support to their veterinary disciplines. This is ensuring that every pet receives the best possible attention and care.

Behind the scenes, the administrative team has also expanded, becoming the central hub that keeps everything running smoothly. From scheduling appointments to managing communications, they ensure that the hospital operates like a well-oiled machine. Their hard work allows our vets and nurses to focus on what they do best, caring for your pets!

Each new member has brought their passion, skills, and dedication to ensure that Bridge Referrals continues to provide exceptional care to every pet that comes through their doors. Through their patients’ treatment success trust in Bridge Referrals is being built in the veterinary community.

Embracing Innovation: New Technology and Treatments at Bridge Referrals

In October of 2023 the centre introduced an additional treatment modality to their oncology department, called Electrochemotherapy. This made Bridge Referrals one of only a handful of centres in the UK to offer this and the first in the North East! 

Following the recent development in June, Bridge Referrals now also boasts a state-of-the-art Fluoroscopy Theatre dedicated exclusively to soft tissue procedures, equipped with the latest Siemens Cios Select VA21 II fluoroscopy machine (currently the most advanced fluoroscopy system in the North East for veterinary surgery). This development marks a significant milestone in their ongoing commitment to providing the highest standard of veterinary care for their clients’ beloved pets. 

Bridge Referrals were delighted to announce that they carried out a successful treatment for a brain tumour in a cat by performing an Craniectomy earlier this year. This procedure was the accumulation of a treatment plan that involved a multidisciplinary approach from six departments (Neurology, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Internal Medicine, Soft Tissue Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging).

A craniectomy is a surgical procedure in which a portion of the skull is removed temporarily or permanently to allow access to the brain. This procedure is not often performed in the veterinary world.

The Internal medicine department have made significant strides this year, successfully completing numerous faecal microbiota transplants (FMT) in both dogs and cats. This innovative treatment has proven to be a game changer for pets suffering from a variety of gastrointestinal issues. By restoring healthy gut flora, the Bridge Referrals team have helped many furry friends regain their health and vitality. The positive outcomes they’ve seen from these treatments underscore their commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions for their patients.

Introducing their Pet Blood Donor Programme: Saving Lives, One Donation at a Time

This year, Bridge Referrals proudly launched their Pet Blood Donor Programme, an initiative that plays a critical role in supporting life-saving treatments for pets in need. Blood donations from healthy pets can make an incredible difference, whether in emergency situations or for pets undergoing surgery or treatment for various conditions. 

Bridge Referrals also hosted their first Pet Blood Bank UK session on the 6th October, finding donors in the local area and providing a space and facilities to the Blood Bank team to make it possible for them to collect lifesaving blood. 8 dogs attended, 7 units of blood were donated which could save up to 28 lives! The next Pet Blood Bank session will be held on the 1st December. 

Investing in the Future of Veterinary Medicine

At Bridge Referrals, they believe in the importance of fostering future talents within the veterinary industry. Throughout the year, they’ve had the privilege of hosting numerous vets, nurses, and students to further their knowledge and experience. Bridge Referrals are particularly proud of their own student nurses, two of whom are about to enter their second year of veterinary nursing, while two of their veterinary care assistants have just begun their first year. 

Bridge Referrals commitment to education and mentorship is a cornerstone of their practice, as they dedicate time and resources to helping others grow within the veterinary industry. 

A Growing Network of Referrals

The last three months have been the busiest yet for referrals, as the family of referring vets continues to grow month by month. Bridge Referrals are thrilled to have welcomed more vets and nurses to the team, allowing them to take on more pets and cases, and ensure that every animal receives the timely, high-quality care they deserve. With more space and resources, they’re better equipped than ever to meet the increasing demand, and are excited about the opportunity to continue expanding their services for the pets and clients who trust them! 

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A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Clients and Referring Vets 

We are truly overwhelmed by the amazing support we’ve received over the past two years. The abundance of 5-star Google reviews, excellent feedback both verbally and via social media, as well as the countless thank you cards and gifts, have been deeply appreciated by our entire team. Your trust in us means everything, and we want to extend our sincere thanks to our wonderful clients, their beloved pets, and the referring vets who continue to support us. You are all a vital part of the Bridge Referrals family! 💚💙