The Mewes Vets Ltd, UK

Organisational background

The Mewes Vets Ltd is a small veterinary clinic for pets in Haywards Heath.

Our goal is to "treat pets as friends", whilst managing our innovative one-pet-one-vet system.

We prioritise the care of each other second only to the care of our patients. We maintain a truly nurturing environment to work in.

Organisation aims & mission

Haywards Heath is a wealthy area of Sussex where clients appreciate our "treating pets as friends" approach, and our constant endeavour to uphold our one-pet-one-vet concept. We register patients with one of our vets, and always attempt to allow them to see the same vet, at each appointment, unless their problem is an emergency, or the vet is on leave.

We intend to remain proudly independent for at least the next ten years and are Tier 2 RCVS accredited. We want you to be able to think for yourself and make a treatment plan that is best for the patient AND the client's budget.

"Treating pets as friends" means that we follow ISFM principles for gentle cat handling and have already signed up to become a dog-friendly clinic as well.

All pets are handled with kindness, and with a view to developing a long-term relationship, so avoiding a short-term scary appointment, wherever possible. We use 'chill' pills to help calm nerves and have just launched a district nursing service for pets that prefer their nursing care at home rather than travelling to the clinic.

“One-pet-one-vet” is maintained by insisting that the person answering the phone asks "Which vet are you registered with?" and offers the next appointment always with that vet, even when the client replies - "I don't mind which vet I see, they are all lovely!" I insist on patient-vet continuity as much as possible, even with our part-time vets.

Being independent and having direct access to a boss who understands that a happy work environment is one in which the team are well looked after.

Every team member is involved in a process of continuous improvement for the whole clinic. Ideas are welcomed and discussed. Problems are dealt with briskly and not allowed to fester.

All of the team have regular opportunities to discuss with their manager their own performance and any aspirations or problems they may have. They are encouraged to spread their wings and follow their dreams. Nurses perform all the tasks they are trained for, such as cannulations, minor operations and radiography, freeing up the vets to do what only they can do, ie diagnosis, decision making, and treatment plans.

We are looking for team members who have:

• empathy for the patient, and their owner as well as for colleagues.
• excellent communication skills.
• the ability to apply skills learnt at University in a practical GP situation.
• the ability to make care plans based on the patient’s medical needs and the client’s budget.
• the ability to think for themselves, not just follow a care plan sheet.
• a gentle manner with patients.