Veterinary Surgeon - Hampshire

We are a progressive, ethical, independent SA practice, set in the thriving village of Liphook in East Hampshire, just a couple of miles from where the owner, Phill, grew up. Graduating in 1993, he has many years of varied veterinary experience, progressing from mixed practice, via a Masters in Wild Animal Health, into zoo and conservation work in China and SE Asia. Having returned to the UK, Phill decided to set up his own practice, primarily to enjoy providing first class veterinary care to companion animals, but also as a platform to engage others in wider environmental goals. Our doors opened in April 2015.

The building had been empty for a decade and had become dilapidated, with a lonely house-martin nesting in the eaves as the only resident, but this meant we had a blank canvas. The bespoke design ensures a comfortable work space, with a/c and fresh air ventilation throughout, internal windows to maximise natural light (no prep room dungeon!) and a lay-out that optimises work-flow from consultation rooms and wards to prep and theatre. ISFM accreditation was a priority from the start and with separate cat and dog wards and waiting rooms, we are the only practice locally to be awarded Silver ‘Cat Friendly Practice’ status. We are also officially ‘Rabbit Friendly’ (Silver, RWAF) and BBVA ‘Bee Friendly’ (no bee experience required). Our dogs love coming here too! We work with Hart Wildlife Rescue to achieve the best outcomes for wildlife casualties, which are afforded the same level of treatment as our pet patients.

We didn’t forget our original resident and additional nest boxes for house-martins were always part of the renovation plan. As a bird that is emblematic of the local and global conservation ambitions of SWVC, one came to represent our ‘Small World’ ethos in our logo. Our patients and our team always come first but, as members of the scientific community, trusted by the public, we believe our obligations extend beyond the practice door.

We use a green energy supplier and actively work to reduce our consumption of resources and waste, working towards Silver accreditation with Investors in the Environment, and committed to achieving ‘net zero’ before 2030 as part of the UN ‘Race to Zero’ initiative.

The saying goes- ‘first do no harm’, but we’d not be much of a vet if that was all we could manage for our patients, and so it is with our planet. At a time of true ecological crisis, we have so much more to do than ‘no harm’. So, beyond minimising the negative, we intend to make a genuinely positive impact, funding habitat regeneration, promoting biodiversity, and bringing team members and clients along for the ride. As a truly independent practice, we have complete freedom, to use our imaginations, to stretch our ambitions, to make a difference. We could achieve so much more with your help.

We are looking for a like-minded, compassionate and capable small animal vet with some experience to join our small, friendly team of four RVNs and two receptionists, offering a 4 day week (approx. 35 hrs), including an alternating Saturday morning clinic and long weekend off (5pm Thurs to 9am Mon), with a Wednesday off in between (5pm finish on the Tuesday). Other days are 9-7, with consultations finishing at 6pm. To coin a phrase- “we don’t do fast veterinary care, we do excellent veterinary care as fast as we can”, and so time is built in to the schedule to encourage case research and collaboration, lab reporting and so on. Consultations are 20 minutes and our clients get great value in that time. Visiting peripatetic orthopaedic specialists ensure we can provide our clients with a top-notch, comprehensive service, all in one location.

Emergencies out-of-hours are ably handled by a nearby dedicated centre, while we look after our in-patients ourselves when appropriate to do so, under the care of our lovely and experienced team of RVNs. You will oversee this care on a rota basis, advising or attending as needed, with a retainer and enhanced hourly rate for doing so. Thankfully, our wards are nearly always blissfully empty at closing time but, when they are not, we will always discuss the best level of care with the client.

With a wonderful team, purpose-designed premises and fab kit, we feel this is a great place to enjoy being a vet. This is what Beth, one of our previous vets, thought of her time here:

 "Small World Vet Centre is a proudly independent, progressive, forward thinking small animal practice located in a beautiful corner of Hampshire, providing a high quality and very personal service to their loyal client base. The staff are highly skilled, supportive and contribute to a fantastic team atmosphere. The practice has been thoughtfully laid out, has separate dog and cat waiting rooms and kennel areas, and is remarkably well equipped for a small practice. Clinical freedom is encouraged, as is the sharing of knowledge and experience’’

Beth described our lock-down Christmas get-together (baking ‘bannock’ over an open fire in a wood) as her best ever, but she missed our latest team outing: dinner at a local pub and then out into the night with flasks and camping chairs to meet a guest expert to do some moth trapping (over 70 species identified…plus a toad, two woodcock and a roe deer).  Liphook itself is a vibrant place, gateway to the South Downs National Park, great pubs and restaurants, with easy rail and road links to London and the coast- the station is just yards from SWVC. We even have our own independent cinema to which we have a practice membership.

• Salary of £46,000 up to £65,000 for an experienced Vet (plus retainer for inpatient care).
• 4 day working week, long weekend alternate weeks.
• 7 weeks holiday including bank holidays, with additional days awarded for length of service.
• CPD generously funded including certificates.
• Professional memberships paid.
• AXA Private medical insurance.
• Free cinema tickets via practice membership to local cinema.
• Short-term accommodation available during relocation.

If you are looking for somewhere a little different and to make a difference in the world, we could be the place to call home. We are currently updating our website but for more information and a flavour of our passions have a look at our Facebook page.  We would love to hear from you to chat further about your ideas and our practice.