Practice Staff

• + Directors

   

  Richard Pettit B Vet.Med., MRCVS

  Veterinary Director

  Hadleigh Based

   

  

  Tom Forsyth BVSc, MRCVS

  Veterinary Director

  Brantham Based

   

  

   John Reading B Sc (Hons)

  Director

  Hadleigh Based

   

• + Veterinary surgeons

  Dineke Rybak MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon Brantham	Gemma Oliver B VetMB BA MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon Brantham
  Sarah Tavener BVSc MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon Hadleigh Local to the area Sarah qualified from Bristol University in 2003 and worked for 4 years in mixed practice locally before a period of locuming . Sarah returned to the area joining the Hadleigh team where she has developed her interests in imaging, particularly ultrasonography, and soft tissue surgery which complement her qualification in acupuncture . Marrying into the local farming fraternity and with 2 small children , Sarah does still manage to find time to run a small flock of sheep .	George Lightfoot MA Vet MB GPCert (SAM) GPCert (SAS) MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon Brantham
  Jane Byford BVetMed MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon Hadleigh Jane qualified from Royal Veterinary College in 1993 . She joined the practice in 2005 working at the Hadleigh surgery . Jane is married with a daughter and has a very busy home life centred round her animals- many of them! Her small collection ranges from mongooses to horses and includes 2 golden eagles . Always a good source of exotic animal advice within the practice.  Jane occassionalyy has time to spend with her husband, Kevin, a well known cattle foot trimmer and cattle handler.	Valentina Morano MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon Hadleigh
  Sheelagh Hargreave VetMB MA CertVCI MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon Hadleigh	Lucy Mitchell BVetMed MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon Brantham
  Dr Rosina Page-Baker B VetMB MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon Hadleigh	Dr Marie Beales B VSc MRCVS Veterinary SurgeonBrantham
  Helena Sokolowska MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon Brantham

• + Management

  

  John Reading BSc (Hons)
  

  Director

  Based at Hadleigh

  

  Karen Highland
  Secretary and Accounts Assistant
  Hadleigh

  Local to Hadleigh , Karen has been with Highcliff for 34years, now working on the administration and accounts side . She has been integral in building up the unique and bespoke in house VIP scheme- an envy of many practices. Over the years Karen has accrued a husband, 2 children, 3 horses, 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 rabbits, 2 guinea pigs and a number of birds. As with many of her colleagues ,Karen has acquired some of these animals from the strays seen at the practice.  When Highcliff was a mixed, mainly large animal practice, Karen worked in the office arranging large animal visits, working reception plus accounts work. From working part time, when her children were growing up , Karen is now full time again but not fully escaped from parental responsibilities as her daughter Bethan is the trainee nurse in Hadleigh.

• + Reception Staff

               

  Sam Butcher Receptionist/Co-ordinator Hadleigh Sam is our reception co-ordinator at Hadleigh, having started at Highcliff in 2005. After moving away from the area for 3 years, when Sam worked and travelled, she returned to her home town in 2011 and is very well settled back at Highcliff. Her role of co-ordinator involves the unenviable task of helping Richard organise the vet rota – a source of much headache at times ! Sam is very keen on keep fit and enjoys nothing more than being with family and friends and spending time with her beloved spaniel Guiness.	Jacky Eaton Receptionist/Coordinator Brantham Ten years ago after 25years in the hotel and hospitality industry Jacky decided she needed a fresh challenge but still wanted to maintain contact with people, whilst being involved in customer care . Reception work suited those interests very well and indeed, so much so for Jacky, that she now leads the reception team. Very well assisted along the way by Bev a strong and close friendly reception team has developed with Jacky at the core of co-ordinating the group. The success of Brantham is very much founded on the development of this front of house team, with Jacky quietly and calmly guiding things calling upon her years of experience . Very recently Jacky and her family have rescued an 8 year old collie cross called “Pebbles” who has really taken to life with Jacky and her family.
  Sue Perry ANA Receptionist Hadleigh Sue’s association with the practice and professional involvement with animals goes back to 1987 when she joined Highcliff as a trainee nurse. Having nursed for 25 years, initially being the only nurse, Sue took a step back from this area 5 years ago and is now part of the reception team, as well as taking on the mighty task of co-ordinating and processing insurance claims for both surgeries. Sue has dogs at home and for the last 5 years she was kept busy looking after a small flock of sheep, as well as guiding her son George into adulthood. A very keen amateur artist specialising in painting birds in acrylics, Sue has developed an excellent reputation exhibiting at local shows and at the Brett Gallery, Monks Eleigh where her original paintings and fine art prints are selling regularly.  They can also be found on her website suzanneperryart.com, which she and her partner John, one of our Directors, have developed over the last 2 years. Sue also finds time each year to be Head Steward for the Hadleigh Show Art Exhibition.	Beverley Everitt Receptionist Brantham Joining the Brantham surgery 8 years ago was a real change in direction for Bev. From the age of 15 she had been a hairdresser but she needed to change her job.  It was indeed a huge leap. However, the continued contact with people, together with their animals has suited Bev’s compassionate and caring side – as many clients would testify. Firmly established as 2nd in command on reception, the drive to offer the best customer care and service has helped strengthen the that team and so Brantham’s success. At home, a very boisterous working Cocker spaniel “Billy” keeps Bev and her husband busy when not looking after their 3 young grandchildren . Exotic holidays ,swimming and walking are other interests but Bev still continues to keep a close eye on the range of hair styles passing into the clinic.
  Elena Whayman Receptionist Hadleigh As a school girl Elena spent time on work experience at the Hadleigh surgery so it was no surprise to welcome her into the reception team in 2008 . Prior to this, Elena worked with horses and having had 2 children the decision to continue her life long interest in animals ,but in warmer conditions ,was not difficult. Elena has 2 rescue cats acquired from Highcliff - Billy and Fluffy - and is currently fully occupied away from work with her new Labrador puppy Oscar.	Carol Jagels Receptionist Brantham Carol joined Highcliff in 2013 having worked in retail for many years and has really enjoyed the variety that reception work offers, whilst having client care with a friendly, sympathetic and caring approach very much to the fore. A very calm and reassuring approach has often been commented on by grateful clients. Back at home a lively jack russell “Dylan” is a real companion but still allows Carol to continue to enjoy gardening, craftwork and sewing.
  Jackie Morris Receptionist Hadleigh	Claire James Receptionist Brantham
  Fiona Potter Receptionist Hadleigh Fiona has been at Highcliff for 4 years after working in the insurance industry for 25years. Local to Hadleigh, Fiona has really enjoyed this career change and is fully involved in reception and office administration adding a real wealth of experience to the practice in customer service. Married with 2 children Fiona enjoys all aspects of a busy and active family life whilst still finding time for their pets a dog and a cat.	Clare Fountain Receptionist Brantham A more recent addition to the reception team at Brantham, Clare joined us in December 2014 after having had various jobs over the years, including being self employed . Always drawn to working with animals and their owners Clare has had 3 Dobermans for several years and in her spare time has custom made leather dog collars, which have been well received in Canada and the USA. She is enjoying settling into all aspects of reception work and is particularly keen to sneak a cuddle with all the new puppies that arrive at the clinic. Away from work, Clare enjoys rock music and attending festivals. Last year she was flown to Paris in the Iron Maiden plane piloted by lead singer Bruce Dickinson.
  Lynda Benton Receptionist Hadleigh	Leanne Wyatt Receptionist Brantham
  	Kelly Worship Receptionist Brantham

• + Qualified and Trainee Veterinary Nurses

  Ruth Bernard ANA RVN Registered Veterinary Nurse / Nurse Coordinator Hadleigh Ruth is our nurse co-ordinator at Hadleigh having started at Highcliff in 2002 working on reception . Over the years Ruth has worked to gain full nurse qualification ,RVN , achieving this whilst working within the practice. Ruth is particularly interested in anaesthesia, analgesia and surgical nursing and has helped introduce and develop the success of the K-Laser. Local to Hadleigh, Ruth has always been passionate about animals and currently has 4 Bengal cats and a lively Patterdale Terrier.
  Jo Matthews RVN Registered Veterinary Nurse Hadleigh Jo qualified as a nurse in 1986 whilst working in her first practice in Diss, Norfolk. Jo joined the nurse team at Hadleigh in 2002 having gained extensive experience from working in 5 different practices including a spell at the prestigious AHT in Newmarket. Jo has developed a keen interest in the Cat Friendly Clinic status of our surgery, in particular geriatric patients. Away from the clinic Jo’s time is fully occupied with her husband and 2 sons and her interests are in sailing, gardening, yoga, socialising , not forgetting her 2 cats.
  Vicky Betts RVN Registered Veterinary Nurse Hadleigh	Leanne Pharo Registered Veterinary Nurse Brantham Leanne qualified in October 2013, having previously worked in a busy hospital practice in Southampton and prior to that in a small animal practice in Basingstoke. Leanne has really settled to the area and enjoys working at Brantham, being able to develop her real nursing interests of in patient care and starting to learn more about physiotherapy and rehabilitation nursing care. She has recently become a Clinical Coach to one of our trainee nurses.  In her short time at Highcliff, Leanne has managed to acquire another cat to be a companion to the one she already has – a lovely Ragdoll – “Cal” and “Marco” named after famous racing motorcyclists. Motorbikes are a keen interest for Leanne and she is currently in the process of getting her full license.
  Bethan Highland Trainee Veterinary Nurse Hadleigh Starting as a Saturday assistant whilst at school, Bethan was drawn to veterinary work from an early age and when given the opportunity to join the reception team upon leaving school in 2009 she jumped at the chance. From that time Bethan has been able to progress to follow her real goal , that of becoming a nurse . Moving over to the nurse team in 2013/2014, Bethan is now in her third year of three pursuing her RVN qualification . Kept in check by her mother both at home and at work, Bethan still helps her Mum look after the 3 horses they share but still remains the only person in the family who actually rides them	Anna Walsh RVN Registered Veterinary Nurse Brantham
  Hannah Stainer Trainee Veterinary Nurse Hadleigh	Elysia Franklin Trainee Veterinary Nurse Brantham One of our newest recruit to the Highcliff ranks, Elysia has just joined the practice moving up the A12 from south Essex . Just embarking on her second year of nurse training she is delighted to be able to live back nearer home . From school, Elysia studied Animal Management at Otley College whilst also volunteering at Colchester zoo for 3 years. Invaluable experience and placing her ideally to progress to nursing . Studies now prevent her from pursuing her other passion for horses and horse riding but there is still plenty of time for the 3 dogs and not forgetting the hamster.
  	Molly Richardson Trainee Veterinary Nurse Hadleigh
  	Kate Bell RVN Registered Veterinary Nurse Brantham         Kate qualified at Middlesex Univeristy in 2015 and after a short spell at a practice in Scotland, she moved back to her home area of North Essex.  She joined Highcliff on the very week in which we started our 24 hour nursing service, quite a start in a new job!  Kate is now one of the key group of nurses on the rota and has helped successfully maintain this new service.  As well as enjoying her part of this nursing work she has a particualr interest in surgical and orthopaedic nursing.  Outside work, Kate is an accomplished saxophonist and plays the flute, for which she is studying her Diploma.  She also likes swimming and walking as well as being leader in training with a local Guide Group.
  Caroline Hayward Trainee Veterinary Nurse Brantham Another graduate swayed by the pull of the veterinary world and animals , studying linguistics and Spanish may not seem the ideal preparation but Caroline has now found her true vocation. She has slowly got to know the practice having spent the last 2 years on work experience at Brantham whilst completing her Veterinary Care Assistant course . As with Elysia she has now progressed to the second year of RVN course and has no regrets at all. Having grown up surrounded by a few animals-up to 400 guinea pigs! rabbits, cats and dogs and even giant African land snails. At one point it is a wonder linguistics even featured.	Alison Smith RVN Registered Veterinary Nurse Brantham Another nurse driven by a keen desire to work in a veterinary practice from a very young age , Alison spent a total of 8 years working in all aspects of a local mixed practice before qualifying in 2011 . This grounding included working on reception, attending on large animal visits and being involved on the administration side. From there Alison spent time nursing in a busy orthopaedic referral practice but was drawn back to her real interest of nursing in a first opinion environment and so came the move to Highcliff in 2013. In patient care is a particular interest as is involvement in clinical coaching of student nurses. Expecting has now had her first baby, Lottie, and had to shelve her horse riding pursuits for the time being but is still occupied by looking after her 2 dogs , cat and husband, occasionally finding time for needlecraft and cooking.

• + Cleaning Staff

  Connor Morris Cleaner Hadleigh	Jo Hall Cleaner Brantham
  Janet Webb Cleaner Hadleigh	Susan Hamerton Cleaner Brantham