Stockton vet practice receives major £350k revamp

A Teesside veterinary practice has undergone a £350k redevelopment to transform it into a state-of-the-art surgery.

The major expansion has doubled the size of Grange Vets so it can improve the service offered to pet owners across Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire.

It will also provide space for a bigger prep area and operating theatre and new diagnostic suite, which houses a new digital x-ray.

Grange Vets bought a neighbouring house to extend facilities and expand across disused land it owns at the back of the building.

It enabled the practice to expand its waiting room, double the number of consulting rooms from two to four and provide separate cat and dog kennels and recovery area. The project increased the size of the premises from 150 to 300 sq m.

Grange Vets is part of VetPartners, a UK-wide veterinary group, which funded the project.

The veterinary has also appointed new clinical director, Kim Taylor-Morton, who was born and raised just a mile from the surgery, to lead the 14-strong team of vets, nurses and admin staff.

After qualifying from Liverpool University in 2003, Kim Taylor-Morton worked in small animal practices and was senior vet at a North Yorkshire surgery, before her appointment as clinical director at Grange Vets.

She said: “I was born and bred in Norton and have strong ties to the area as my family is still there. This role at Grange Vets is an amazing opportunity for me, especially at a time when the practice has undergone a major redevelopment.

“The practice has changed dramatically and we have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback from clients who don’t recognise the place when they arrive.

“From the team’s perspective, we have a fantastic workspace with a big, bright operating suite and separate prep area, extra consulting rooms so our veterinary nurses can run clinics with more convenient hours for clients.”

The redevelopment was overseen by VetPartners North East business development director, Jason Atherton, while practice manager Tonya Williams and head veterinary nurse, Rebbecca Smith steered the works to enable the practice to remain open throughout the five-month project.

Mr Atherton added: “The redevelopment of Grange Vets has totally revolutionised the practice and the service it provides. It is both modern and functional and is now a great place to work and place for clients and their pets.”

Grange Vets employs four vets, seven nursing staff and three admin and reception staff, and the expansion could see a further increase in jobs.