The Vet
Phone 01254 53622
The VETerinary Health Centre, Daisy St.
            Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 5EW

Veterinary Surgeons                 Royal College Of Veterinary Surgeons

	David Higginson   BVMS, MRCVS - Partner David graduated at Glasgow University Veterinary School in 1970 and joined the Veterinary Health Centre that summer. His special interests are 1) Pet behaviour and emotional problems,  2) Rabbit medicine and surgery, 3) Soft tissue surgery,  4) Skin and ear disease 5) Ano-rectal disorders and 5) Client communication (inc web sites!)  More.......  David was born and brought up in Blackburn, was educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn and spent his student summers working in the practice as a nurse. He joined Alan Williamson and Keith Ashworth as an assistant vet and became a partner in 1973. The practice was a mixed practice in those days and the work included dairy and beef cattle, sheep, pigs, and horses as well as pets. In 1979 David encouraged the practice to specialise in small animal medicine in anticipation of the great medical advances that seemed just around the corner. This move has allowed the practice to keep abreast of the most up-to-date techniques and treatments, and provide the best of modern medicine for our patients. David's interests are music, cycling, computers, caravanning, and fixing anything that's broken. He is married with 6 children. His wife Ann hails from Glasgow and teaches maths locally. David is lead singer of local folk rock band "Moorland Folk". More about the band including MP3 downloads on www.moorlandfolk.btinternet.co.uk  .
	John Davies   BVM&S, MRCVS  - Partner John graduated at Edinburgh University Royal (Dick) Veterinary School in 1989, worked in mixed practice in Selby and Glasgow before moving to small animal practice in Bolton. John joined the Veterinary Health Centre as a partner in 1996. His veterinary interests are 1) Internal medicine, 2) Medical care of older dogs and cats, 3) Small furry pets and 4) Positive health promotion.  More....... John was born in Whalley and brought up in Tottleworth near Rishton, educated at Norden School, Rishton then Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn. Throughout his veterinary training he regularly saw practice at the Veterinary Health Centre. John's interests are mountain biking playing football and wildlife. He lives in Whalley with his wife Angela, four children (Juliet, Helena, Felicity and Alexander), 2 guinea pigs, a rat and a tank of exotic fish.
	Samantha Purcell   BVSc MRCVS - Partner Sam graduated from Liverpool University in 1999 and joined the Veterinary Health Centre in 2003 as a locum and became a partner in July 2004. She gained experience in mixed practice in Blackburn and Carnforth, before working in a small animal practice in Lytham St Annes.  Her veterinary interests include  Soft tissue surgery, Dentistry and Diagnostic imaging.   More....... Sam was born in Settle, N Yorkshire on a mixed farm and trekking centre and has always had a keen interest in animals, both large and small. She was educated at Bentham Grammar School and spent much of her time playing various sports especially Hockey for the 1st XI's. Sam was also a keen member of the local Young Farmers Club which involved her in various activities including pony judging. She is a keen horse rider and can be found many a weekend hacking around the beautiful bridleways of the Yorkshire Dales National Park on her one-eyed horse "Golly". She is also a “Flyball” enthusiast, competing most weekends, all over the country with her two Border Collies “Pip” and "Taz", and "Bess" her rescued terrier cross. Sam lives in Settle with her husband Matt, who is a physics teacher at Ribblesdale School in Clitheroe, and her most recent arrival - "Tom", their first child, born in September '06.
	Simone Der Weduwen MRCVS Simone graduated at the University of Utrecht  in 1988 and has a wide experience of small animal practice in the North West and has worked with The Veterinary Health Centre on a part time basis since 2008. Her special interest is Pet Behaviour and she has worked regularly in a top North West Behaviour Referral centre.   Simone is the secretary of the North West Veterinary Association, organising regular further education for North West vets. She is also an active member of Pet Savers, a national charity to promote clinical research into pet diseases.  More....... coming soon ..............

Our team of Skilled Veterinary Nurses
run regular clinics for routine healthcare checks.
Phone reception and ask for a nurse appointment.



Our Veterinary Nurses administer and monitor general anaesthetics, take blood samples, give intravenous fluid therapy, take X-rays, run laboratory tests, give all forms of medication, nurse in-patients, manage the kennel wards, prepare the operating theatre,
 and much more.

Our veterinary nurses can:-
q Check your pet’s general health, spot problems early, and show you how to examine your own pet.
q Check your pet’s weight and guide you in the best ways to control your pet’s weight.
q Provide and administer routine flea and worm treatments - choosing the medications most suited to your circumstances.
q Advise on diet and feeding.
q Advise on behaviour and training.
q Check your pet’s teeth and gums regularly and advise on dental healthcare.
q Clip Nails and even show you how to do it properly if you’d like to do it yourself.
q Show you how to give tablets.
q Help you get the best out of your pet insurance.
q Discuss and guide you with any healthcare problems or worries.
q Discuss diet, medication and treatment costs and help with economical planning.
q Help you with phone advise before you book your appointment.

Jill Macdonald   DipAVN(surg). V.N. 
      In August 2008 Jill moved to Liverpool University Veterinary College organising further education for vets.
Jill joined the practice in 1996 and qualified as a veterinary nurse (R.V.N.) in 1999. She became Head Nurse in 2000 with overall responsibility for nursing standards and all aspects of nurse training. She gained her R.V.N. Assessor qualification in 2002 and her Diploma in Advanced Surgical Nursing in 2006 and is a regular contributor to the veterinary press. She gained a H.N.D. in chemistry at the University of Central Lancashire in 1989. Jill’s areas of expertise in the practice are surgical and medical nursing, anaesthesia, E.C.G.'s  and dentistry.  More.......

Jill was born in Westminster and brought up in Hertfordshire and Nottingham. Her formative years were spent with horses and dogs at her mother's riding stables. She was regularly involved in  teaching children to ride, show jumping, dressage and one day eventing.  Her current interests are photography, walking, music, computers, dog training, and her pets, Border Terrier (Otto) and cat (Renti).

Naomi Starkey   R.V.N. - Naomi moved to a practice in Bamber Bridge in June '08.
Naomi joined us as a qualified Veterinary Nurse (R.V.N.) in 2004 after 4 years in a mixed veterinary practice in Preston. Her special interests are critical care, physiotherapy, behaviour, nutrition and ferrets.   More.......

Naomi grew up in Penwortham, Preston. She worked in business administration and studied counselling before choosing a career as a veterinary nurse. Her interests are going to the gym, racing her whippet Maddie, walking her three ferrets Mij, Macey and Rupert, keeping chickens, camping, swimming, running, and exercising greyhounds.

Alison Langridge   BA (Hons), R.V.N.   - Alison moved on in July '08 and is now running a mobile vet nurse clinic for the PDSA
Alison joined the practice in 1999, and qualified as a Veterinary Nurse (R.V.N.) in 2003. She graduated in 1996 from the University of Wales with a BA (Hons) in Linguistics.. Her special interests are rabbit medicine, and emergency & critical care. More..... 

Alison was brought up in Padiham, went to school at St Wilfrids, Blackburn and now lives in Sabden under the shadow of Pendle Hill. As a teenager she was a keen horse-rider, her interest in pet medicine was sparked as she worked part-time in her auntie's pet shop. Her interests are languages - she has studied German, Swedish, Welsh, French, Latin and most recently Italian, playing piano, stained glass art, tap dancing, squash, and gardening.

Becky graduated from Liverpool University in 2001 and joined the Veterinary Health Centre in 2006. She has worked in small animal practice in Lytham St Annes and Bolton, and locumed throughout the North West.  Her veterinary interests are mainly medical - she has recently completed a modular course in feline medicine. She has also had training in Western Scientific Acupuncture and is interested in developing other methods of managing chronic pain such using physiotherapy, hydrotherapy etc.  More.......

Becky was brought up in the South of England, moving North at the age of 8. She was educated at Casterton School, Kirby Lonsdale and feels most at home in the North West. Becky is a keen rider and was vice-captain of the university riding club. Her weekends are spend walking with her dog Mr Jackamo, going to weddings (she's at that age) and doing DIY with husband Dan.

Claire Barton
Claire joined the practice in 2006 as a nursing and reception assistant. She has since trained as a Hill's pet nutritional advisor.   More.......

Claire previously studied Criminology at Blackburn Higher Education Centre. She loves camping (in her VW camper van), visiting Scotland, going to the gym, socialising, and her 3 cats Jack, Evie and Tommy, and dog Molly.