Within every successful veterinary practice is a team of support staff who help the practice run smoothly. Derwent Vale is no different, we have a highly qualified team who carry out an extensive array of jobs.

Becky Skaife is our R-SQP, a qualification she has held since 2010. Becoming an SQP (Suitably Qualified Person) requires passing both written and oral assessments which are set out by AMTRA (Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority). All SQP’s must continue to undertake training sessions throughout the year to keep up their knowledge and must act responsibly, following the rules in the regulations and code of practice.

Becky can give advice on and dispense certain vaccines and wormers. She performs faecal egg counts in house and after checking the results with a vet, can advise on the correct worming protocol. Becky is currently running our grazing time ‘parasite clinics’, where farmers can drop off a faecal sample for checking or wait for the results there and then, with the added bonus of discounted faecal egg counts on clinic days.

Gazette & Herald: Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN), Nancy HudsonRegistered Veterinary Nurse (RVN), Nancy Hudson

At Derwent Vale, we also have a Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN), Nancy Hudson, who has been qualified for over 16 years. She plays a key role both in the practice and out on farm. From blood sampling cattle, sheep and undertaking calf club visits, through to monitoring general anaesthetics and assisting with surgical procedures. In the practice, she looks after our pharmacy ensuring our supply of stock and consumables is in order and helps maintain our veterinary equipment and kit.

Gazette & Herald: Jo Brooke, TB coordinator, farm office and accounts Jo Brooke, TB coordinator, farm office and accounts

As one of the few remaining practices in the area who carry out TB testing, Jo Brooke, our 3rd member of the support staff team, undertakes the arduous job of organising all our TB testing. Jo must ensure that herds are booked in on-time, that the correct animals are presented for testing and that the vets have all documentation required to complete the test. She also carries out a pretty significant job for the success of the business – invoicing!

All our support staff take turns to be on-call with the vets during our busy season to provide help out-of-hours, either on farm or at the practice, often with caesareans, in-patients or sorting surgical kits and the ever-expanding pile of waterproofs!

Derwent Vale comprises not only keen, dedicated and enthusiastic vets, but a support team who work extremely hard behind the scenes to help deliver an exceptional level of service.

For more information on what SQP’s do, visit the AMTRA website: www.amtra.org.uk

If you would like to know more about the services we offer, please contact the practice or come and see us at Ryedale Show – stand G2 – next to the catering tent.

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