A leading Surrey animal hospital has appointed a new clinical director who will be a recognisable face to many clients and referring colleagues.
Laura Macfarlane, who takes over the clinical reins at Linnaeus-owned North Downs Specialist Referrals (NDSR), has worked at the renowned referral centre for seven years.
In her new position, Laura will focus on continuing to offer the highest quality of clinical care and service to clients at the Bletchingley hospital, working alongside hospital director Gerry Polton.
Laura said: “I’m looking forward to making a difference, both to the care we can provide for our patients and our clients but also to the working lives of the whole hospital team.”
Graduating from the University of Glasgow in 2009, Laura then completed an internship at the Royal Veterinary College followed by two years in a practice in Northern Ireland.
She then returned to Glasgow to begin an internal medicine residency in 2012, obtaining her diploma in 2016 to be a European Specialist in Internal Medicine (companion animal). After this, Laura moved to Surrey to join NDSR as a medicine clinician.
Her most memorable case was a dog who made a jingling sound when it moved after swallowing a Chinese style meditation ball, which was subsequently successfully removed.
Laura added: “There’s a great team spirt at North Downs and it is the people and atmosphere of respect and camaraderie that make the hospital unique.
“I plan to expand the decision making for the team, aiding career progression and further building on the internal networks of communication.”
Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time with her young family by visiting farm parks, soft plays, playgrounds and other children’s activities.
Hospital director Gerry said Laura’s appointment to the role of clinical director was thoroughly deserved and would help NDSR to continue its exceptional work.
He said: “Laura brings great energy and purpose and will be an amazing addition to the senior leadership team at North Downs.
“As well as the improvements she will drive in communication and organisation within the clinician team, we will also all benefit from her experience and insight in relation to quality and governance, all of which combined will further ensure that we continue to provide the highest standards of care to our patients.”
NDSR offers specialist-led services in anaesthesia and analgesia, cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery and spinal surgery.
