Leith Vets

Leith Vets is owned by veterinarian Nichola Hinchy and her architect husband James Corcoran.

Hi I’m Nichola. I’ve been a vet for 16 years in both the Southern and Northern hemispheres.

I still love being a vet 🙂 About 10 years ago I realised that one day I would love to own my own practice. Last year my Scottish architect husband and I decided that we wanted to experience practice ownership. I’d identified that Leith in Edinburgh had a need for an independently owned vet practice. We saw a great building near a beautiful park in Leith, put an offer in and it was accepted!

Fast forward 9 months and Leith Vets opened it’s doors.

We had a vision for a warm, welcoming practice that clients want to visit. Even it it’s just to say hi and to grab a treat for their dog. I yearned for a practice with separate cat facilities where cats felt comfortable and non stressed.  Leith Vets is exactly the practice I dreamed of and more. Our staff, clients and patients genuinely seem happy and I love being a practice owner.

The practice is evolving in to an environment that provides a safe place for individualised, non-judgemental care. We are accessible for clients with disabilities and embrace staff and client diversity.

Feel free to drop in and say hi!

We think Leith Vets provides an inclusive, friendly and fun working environment. Are staff all get on really well together. A positive workplace culture is extremely important to us.

The local are is also pretty special. We have a large, beautiful park at the end of our street. The Shore precinct where you can find fabulous restaurants and cafes is a 5-10 minute walk away.

We think Leith is Edinburgh’s most colourful, vibrant and exciting area.

An ideal employee at Leith Vets is someone who puts patient welfare at the forefront. Someone who listens to clients and tailors a plan to suit the patient and client’s situation. We value positivity and appreciate colleagues who strive to look after their work mates.

Nichola and James have small children themselves so they appreciate how difficult it can be do balance working with caring for children. We know that children get ill. We believe that family members are priority and aim to support staff as much as possible when times are tough.

We are open to part-time and flexible working patterns.

Leith Vets is an LGBTQ+ safe practice and we strive to support a diverse team.

Our practice is almost paper free. We are constantly looking at initiatives to be as sustainable as possible.

Our staff have regular one to ones with their line manager where CPD is regularly discussed and monitored. There will be opportunities for career progression at Leith Vets as the practice matures.

Our team considers patient welfare to be a top priority. We have separate cat and dog consult rooms and waiting areas in reception. There is a ‘cat side’ and a ‘dog side’ to the building. Low stress handling is mandatory. We are currently reviewing becoming a ‘Fear Free’ recognised practice.

Leith Vets is also working towards gold ISFM status.