The Referral Process
Referring a patient is straightforward. You can submit a referral using the online referral form on the website, email the case details, or call if the case is urgent. To get everything started, all that’s needed is the patient signalment, presenting problem, clinical history and any diagnostics already available. Once received, I’ll review the case the same day and contact the practice to organise the most suitable plan and booking.
Very little is required to organise surgery efficiently. A brief clinical summary is usually enough — including the presenting problem, relevant history, current medications and any diagnostics already performed (radiographs, blood tests, CT, etc. if applicable). If further imaging or investigations are recommended before surgery, I’ll advise clearly so the case progresses smoothly. The aim is to keep the process simple for the practice team while ensuring every patient receives a safe and fully planned surgical experience.
Routine cases are usually scheduled within 1–2 weeks, and I always do my best to match the surgery date to your theatre availability and staffing. Urgent or time-sensitive cases can be prioritised sooner, and if you’re ever unsure whether a case needs rapid intervention, you’re welcome to call for guidance. The aim is to avoid delays for patients while keeping the process smooth and stress-free for your team.
Absolutely. I’m always happy to chat through a case informally, whether you’re weighing up treatment options, considering surgical vs. conservative management, or simply wanting a second opinion before speaking with the owner. There is no pressure to book surgery — the aim is to support you with clear information so you can make the best decision for the patient and for the practice.
Yes — urgent cases can be prioritised, and same-day surgery may be possible depending on theatre availability, case stability and travel distance. If you have a patient that you are concerned about, simply call and I’ll advise immediately on whether surgery should happen the same day, within a few days, or after further stabilisation or imaging. The goal is always to make the safest decision for the patient without delay or uncertainty for the practice.
Booking & Scheduling
Most routine orthopaedic and soft-tissue procedures are booked within 1–2 weeks. I always do my best to accommodate the days and times that work best for your theatre team. If you have a preferred day of the week for surgical lists or staffing patterns you’d like to follow, I’m happy to work around them.
Yes, this can sometimes be arranged if theatre time is available and the patient is stable for anaesthesia. If you’d like to plan a consultation + surgery pathway, just let me know in advance so we can coordinate theatre preparation and postoperative care smoothly.
Yes — all independent and corporate practices are welcome, and there are no membership or contract requirements. Many practices book on a case-by-case basis, while others schedule regular surgical days depending on caseload.
All referrals are made by the veterinary practice, not directly by owners. This ensures clinical continuity and avoids misunderstandings about diagnosis, expectations and cost. If an owner contacts me directly, I will always refer them back to their primary veterinary practice to maintain the correct workflow.
Yes. My role is to integrate into your existing workflow, not disrupt it. I’ll schedule procedures around your own case list, and I’m very happy to start early or finish later in the day if that supports your team and avoids pressure on the diary.
Surgery & Anaesthesia
A full range of orthopaedic and soft-tissue procedures can be performed in practice, including (but not limited to) fracture repair, TTA, MPL surgery, patellar tendon reconstruction, TECA-LBO, abdominal soft-tissue surgery, thoracic soft-tissue surgery, BOAS procedures, trauma management and complex wound reconstruction. If you’re ever unsure whether a particular procedure can be performed at your practice, just ask — I’ll give clear and realistic guidance.
Yes. The majority of complex orthopaedic and soft-tissue procedures can be performed safely at your practice without the need for external referral. I bring the full advanced equipment required — including orthopaedic power tools, implants, ESF components, harmonic scalpel, diathermy and consumables — so your team does not need to provide anything beyond a sterile theatre and anaesthesia support. Performing surgery in-practice keeps the patient in familiar surroundings, reduces stress for owners and allows your team to maintain continuity of care while still offering advanced surgical options.
Your team retains full control of the anaesthetic protocol, and I am very happy to work with the drugs and monitoring equipment you are most comfortable using. I am equally happy to suggest protocols on request — especially for complex or painful cases — to support safe induction, stable anaesthesia and smooth recovery. Multimodal analgesia and local blocks are strongly encouraged to optimise comfort and reduce anaesthetic depth.
Yes. I bring all advanced equipment required — including orthopaedic power tools, implants, locking plates, screws, ESF components, harmonic scalpel, diathermy and consumables. This prevents disruption to your practice workflow and means there is no need to purchase extra equipment for referred cases.
Pricing & Invoicing
All invoicing is done to the practice, not the owner. This keeps the workflow simple and ensures your clinical and financial relationship with the client remains unchanged. The practice then invoices the owner in the normal way.
Because the surgeon invoices the £800 surgical fee + Implants, the practice maintains its normal income from:
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Pre-operative work-up and consultations
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Diagnostic imaging
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Anaesthesia and monitoring
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Day patient care and hospitalisation
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Medications and consumables
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Post-operative checks and bandage changes
This allows the practice to remain financially secure while offering owners access to advanced surgical options in-house.
Post-operative Care
All post-operative care — including bandage changes, wound checks and suture removal — is carried out by the referring practice. This ensures continuity for the patient and allows the owner to return to the team they already know and trust. Full written discharge instructions are provided so your team knows exactly what to monitor and when.
Yes. Every case receives a clear written discharge plan, including:
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Medications and dosing schedule
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Recommended activity restriction and physiotherapy timeline
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Bandage and dressing instructions (if relevant)
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Expected milestones and when to contact the practice
These are supplied in a format that can be added directly to your PMS and printed for owners.
Yes — if you have any concerns about healing or recovery, I am always happy to assist. Early communication is encouraged and no concern is ever too small. The referring practice carries out all post-operative checks and bandage changes, but I am available to support you with advice whenever needed. Email is the preferred method of contact, as it allows clear communication and makes it easy to review clinical photographs, radiographs or notes before giving guidance.
If a complication is suspected, I am here to assist promptly. Most issues can be managed at the referring practice with clear guidance and early intervention. If additional imaging or revision surgery is required, I will advise honestly on the safest plan and support the practice throughout.
Communication & Case Updates
You will be updated after surgery with a clear summary of the procedure, intraoperative findings, analgesia plan and any specific points to monitor during recovery. The update is sent before the patient is fully recovered so your team is prepared in advance for the post-operative period.
Yes. A full written operative report and discharge plan are supplied for every case. These are structured so they can be pasted directly into your PMS without editing and include:
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Procedure performed
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Implants and materials used
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Intraoperative findings
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Medication schedule
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Exercise and rehabilitation plan
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Revisit and bandage-change timelines (if relevant)
This ensures continuity and clarity for the whole clinical team.
Yes — you are very welcome to ask for advice even if a booking hasn’t been made. If you are unsure whether a case needs surgery, how urgently it should be treated, or whether conservative management is still an option, I’m always happy to support you with a second opinion. The aim is to help you make the best decision for the patient and to reduce uncertainty during owner discussions. Advice is available with no obligation to book, and email is the preferred method of contact so that clinical photographs, radiographs or notes can be reviewed before providing guidance.
Equipment & Facilities Needed
Most surgeries can be performed with a standard theatre setup. A sterile operating space, anaesthesia and routine monitoring are all that is needed. I bring the full range of advanced surgical equipment required, so your team does not need to supply anything beyond the usual theatre resources.
A dedicated theatre nurse or RVN is required for every procedure. Clear communication between surgeon and nurse is essential for safe induction, steady anaesthesia and smooth theatre flow. The nurse does not need advanced surgical experience — routine theatre nursing skills are more than sufficient. I work calmly and collaboratively throughout so the whole team feels confident and supported.
Emergency / Urgent Cases
Yes — urgent cases can be prioritised, and surgery can often be arranged at short notice depending on theatre availability, case stability and travel distance. If you have a patient that you are worried about, you are always welcome to get in touch and I will advise honestly on how quickly surgery should be performed.
Out-of-hours emergency surgery is not offered routinely, so I am not able to attend during the night or when the practice is closed. If you are dealing with an emergency outside normal hours, I am still happy to provide guidance on the safest next steps — including whether stabilisation overnight or referral to a 24-hour hospital is in the patient’s best interest. The goal is always to support your team in making clear decisions without delay, even when surgery cannot take place until normal hours.
