State-of-the-art vet clinic follows £400k investment
A veterinary practice is opening a new clinic in Houghton as part of a £400,000 investment.
The Westway Veterinary GroupoutletopensinJanuary at its new home at Houghton BusinessCentreonLakeRoad.
Theannouncementcomes after a disused council administration block was transformedintoamodern,vibrant surgerywiththelatesthi-tech equipment.
However, the group will be closing its branches in Westbourne Terrace in Shiney Row, Church Street in Seaham,andtheexistingNewbottleStreetbranchinHoughton.
Westway says the improved facilities mean a betterservice,aswellasremoving the need for animals to travel for surgery and key services to hospitals at Eden Hill, near Beamish, and in Newcastle.
As well as three consulting rooms, there are facilities for small animals, including separate dog and cat wards and kennels. Cats will particularly appreciate this as they can become very stressed.
Other benefits include full surgical and operating facilities, a separate ward for exotics species including rabbits and an in-house laboratory to speed up blood tests. Clients andpetswillalsobenefitfrom digital x-ray, dental x-ray and ultrasound.
Thenewpracticewillserve clients around Wearside and Seaham and the site has parking for 10 cars. It is part of a £400,000 investment by VetPartners, of which Westway is a part.
HeadveterinarynurseEmma Walls has been involved with the project from the beginning.
She joins an experienced team of 15 vets and nurses at the new practice.
Emma said: “This is a really exciting project for us as we are creating a brand new facility with modern facilities andthelatestequipmentsowe can provide a great service for clients and the best possible care for our patients.
“It will be so much more convenient for clients and poorly patients will not have to be transported further afield unless hospitalisation is required.
“Beingabletokeepcatsand dogs completely separate is a huge benefit.
"Cats can become stressed by the noise and smell of dogs so having separate facilities will keep them calm, which means they are easier to handle and examine.”