|
The Valley Veterinary Group
was founded by Mr Derek Packer in 1949 as a single branch in Ystrad
Mynach dealing with mainly with the farming community in the Rhymney
Valley. Mr Nick Ryland joined several years later and introduced the
small animal side. Phil Hyde joined in 1977, becoming a partner in
1982, when we renamed it Valley Veterinary Group. Derek retired soon
after, and Nick retired in 1998.
Now it has three branches,
one in Cardiff, one in Caerphilly and one in Ystrad Mynach, dealing
with all kinds of pets.
Since it's start, the
practice has slowly grown until now there are eight vets in the
practice, with over twenty nursing and support staff. There are many
special interests within the group including dermatology, radiology,
orthopaedics, clinical medicine and exotic pets. We have three
veterinary nurse training centres, and insist that all veterinary
surgeons undergo continuing education courses every year.
We now have a special
clinic for exotic pets at the Gabalfa Veterinary Surgery on the A470
in Cardiff. Here we have special knowledge of birds, reptiles and the
‘small furry species’ (rabbits, guinea pigs etc).
Also at the Gabalfa
Veterinary Surgery is based the new Veterinary Emergency Treatment
Service (V.E.T.S.). This service provides out-of-hours emergency care
for many of the veterinary practices in Cardiff, the Rhymney and the
Rhondda Valleys.
Because of the changes in
the use of this branch, it is having to enlarge, with extra kennelling
facilities for all species, improved operating facilities, separate
waiting areas for dogs and cats etc.
The Ystrad Mynach surgery
is also soon to be moved to a nearby building, giving us a new
operating theatre, two new consulting rooms, laboratory and kennels,
and much improved parking.
Our Caerphilly surgery has
it's own car park, two consulting rooms, operating theatre and kennels
spacious reception area.
The Valley Veterinary Group
has a wide range of modern equipment. It has its own laboratories in
Ystrad Mynach and Cardiff, as well as laboratory facilities in
Caerphilly, allowing us to have the results of many blood tests within
hours (or even minutes). We have several X-ray machines, much
orthopaedic equipment, ultrasound scanners E.C.G. machine, endoscope,
special dental equipment as well as a wide range of operating
equipment . Each branch does most of its own operating. We have our
own animal ambulance.
We have complete 24 hour
cover, with staff available day and night. The Veterinary
Emergency Treatment Service (Cardiff) - Serving Cardiff and the
Valleys.
The Veterinary
Emergency Treatment Service:
In October 1996, we
started this emergency service, the Veterinary Emergency Treatment
Service (V.E.T.S.), supplying cover to practices in Cardiff, the
Rhymney and the Rhondda Valleys up to and including Merthyr Tydfil.
V.E.T.S. employs two
veterinary surgeons and two veterinary nurses, (along with other
ancillary staff), who cover emergency work from 6pm to 8.30am plus
weekends from midday Saturday and all Bank Holidays. All cases are
returned to the usual practice the next day.
V.E.T.S.
provides a central, hospital style, emergency service with staff on
site all the time and vets who work solely with emergency cases. (Just
like the clients are used to for themselves.)
The
veterinary surgeons working for V.E.T.S. are well motivated, and keen
to see clients and their pets.
There is 24-hour resident care.
Mr Phil Hyde, Principal of the Valley Veterinary Group and
the Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service, can be contacted via
e-mail, philhyde@v-e-t-s.co.uk.
Mr Hyde is also Chairman of the British Association of Veterinary
Emergency Care, www.bavec.co.uk.
If
you have a question regarding a pet, ideally, these questions should be
asked of your own vet. Please DO NOT email urgent questions, as this
may lead to delay in any treatment necessary.
|
