WIRRAL LIFE WELCOMES BACK DUGIE GEMMILL VETERINARY SURGEON OF MEDIVET WIRRAL
It’ s been three years since I last scribbled some veterinary based thoughts for the readers of the Wirral Life magazine. What a shock this realisation brings! However, while three years is a long time; the time does fly by.
In these three years, much has changed, but much remains the same in the world of“ Parkside,” Medivet New Ferry. We have our glorious Paul Curtis mural still – the several metre high“ wee ginger Staffie x Jack Russell” as I refer to him in conversation with clients. The picture is of Ghill, my own wee pal, who sadly I said goodbye to in February of this year. Paul really captured his essence and spirit in the mural. There his image will remain, hopefully forever – a fitting to tribute to this man’ s best friend. Whenever I come in to work, it always fills my heart and makes me smile, but at the same time I feel sad for the unfillable empty space he has left. I do miss him, and I treasure that empty space.
Inside the practice has had a really wonderful refurbishment and makeover. We have two operating theatres, a dedicated dental x-ray machine, plus a diagnostic imaging suite with x-ray and ultrasound, an extensive laboratory, with a large and spacious dog ward with a separate, tranquil cat ward, lovely consulting rooms and a smart new reception area. These changes are physical and allow us to continue to provide the best and most up to date care possible. However, the same spirit that had always flowed through Parkside remains today. The reason? A superb group of individuals, working together as a team for our wonderful clients.
The fantastic reception, client care team, Ali, Claire, and Lou greet clients and pets with welcoming warmth – reassuring, happy smiles for the humans, and a compulsive readiness to provide treats and cuddles for the pets. The highly trained, qualified nurses( RVNs) Debbie, Gemma, and Mia( who is now mainly based at the Bromborough, Allport site) go about their often difficult or complex duties with kindness and compassion. Our veterinary team has expanded. Veterinary surgeons: Marissa, Hayley and Amalia, are skilled, dedicated and compassionate, putting the health and welfare of our clients’ pets above all else. Practice manager, Shell herds the ducks and keeps us all in line, and then there is Carmen, our patient care assistant( PCA) who’ s duties require her to attempt to be almost everywhere, all at once – a task list she invariably manages, with a beaming smile.
The veterinary life can be a difficult one; with long days that can be emotional and stressful. However, I for one, love coming back to work. It is a pleasure to bask in the warmth and humanity of such a group of people. Being a notable veterinary practice with a forty-plus year history( we were established by Mike Davis and David Murdoch in 1979!) we still maintain our individuality, and our cheerful happy atmosphere. The team at the practice are truly kind to me. The girls always seem pleased to have me back for a week’ s work – or at least they are practiced at giving that impression! It is always a busy week, a list filled with laparoscopic surgeries, some orthopaedics and more complex procedures such as airway surgery on brachycephalic breeds( those such as Pugs or French Bulldogs), ear canal surgeries( dogs with chronic, intractable and painful ear infections) or anal gland removal in dogs( anal sacculectomies). The whole team comes together when we are exceptionally busy – in fact, they seem to thrive on it; a mark of a particularly good team and I like to think an exceptionally good practice. Needless to say, I am probably biased. Its lovely to once again have the opportunity to ramble on in the magazine.
So, I will just say‘ a la prochaine.’( See you next time).
Dugie is a graduate of Glasgow University Veterinary School, and has worked at Parkside Veterinary Practice / Medivet New Ferry since 1990- as partner too the renowned David Murdoch, as practice owner and Clinical Director. He now shares his time between life in the south of France with his lovely wife Vera and working as principal surgeon at the practice. Dugie has a keen interest in laparoscopic, soft tissue and orthopaedic surgeries.
2 Sefton Road, New Ferry, Wirral, CH62 5AT T: 0151 644 8918 E: new. ferry @ medivet. co. uk
906 New Chester Road, Bromborough, Wirral, CH62 6AU T: 0151 334 1355 E: bromborough @ medivet. co. uk
27 Daryl Road, Heswall, Wirral, CH60 5RD T: 0151 342 7646 E: heswall @ medivet. co. uk