Left to right, Naomi Roberts (standing), Hattie Robinson, Kaitlin Turnbull, Harriet Lucas, Georgia Miller, Louise White (standing) and Poli Boynova (sitting).
Veterinary Group Invests In Future By Nurturing Next Generation Of Vets
3 years ago 
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A PILOT scheme to help post-graduate vets enjoy the best possible start to their career has been hailed a success.
Six small animal vets, who joined the Willows Veterinary Group graduate programme last September, have all been given permanent positions.
They were all successful in applying for full-time jobs at Willows practices across Cheshire, Greater Manchester and north Staffordshire, including their flagship hospital in Hartford, Northwich.
The Willows graduate programme aims to bridge the gap between leaving university and working full-time in practice by supporting young vets to develop their career. They also benefit from CPD as part of the VetPartners graduate programme and attending online training run by Willows in areas like emergency care, case studies and oncology. As well as training, they have dedicated support to grow their confidence as a practising vet.
During the first year of the course the graduates rotated between Willows practices every eight weeks so they were able to experience different sizes of practices and working in its main veterinary hospital. After completing their first year, young vets can apply for permanent positions or move on to another practice within VetPartners, which has 160 of the UK’s most respected and trusted practices.
The six graduates are Georgia Miller (Station House Vets Centre), Elliot Sutherland (The Laurels), Harriet Lucas (Charter Vets), Polina Boynova (Willows Veterinary Hospital), Hattie Robinson (Acorn Vets) and Kaitlin Turnbull (Beech House Vets).
Vet Naomi Roberts is group graduate mentor and, thanks to the success of the programme, she is preparing to welcome another cohort in September.
Dr Roberts said: “The programme has been really successful for both the graduates and for Willows as we now have six new vets working permanently in our practices. They are now going into their second year of the programme having found permanent positions and it’s great for the practices to have fresh blood.
“It enabled the vets to see what kind of practice they are suited to and want to work in as they have had a taste of different practices, whether they’re smaller practices with strong client bonds or hospitals dealing with emergencies.
“We created a really nurturing programme and there will be on-going support if they need it. The graduates felt it was like being part of a family and they were able to talk to us for advice and guidance.”
Willows will continue to invest in the future by offering places to five graduates from September.
Hattie Robinson was part of the first cohort of students on the Willows Graduate Programme and recently started a full-time role at Acorn Vets in Wirral.
Hattie, who studied veterinary medicine at the University of Bristol, said: “Being part of the Willows programme made starting my career as a vet after leaving university much easier, and I never thought I would feel as confident at this stage of my career and that is as a result of being on the programme.
“I’ve developed so much confidence dealing with clients and learning new surgical skills, as well as working in an out-of-hours role gaining experience in foreign body surgeries you couldn’t normally see at this stage of my career. I spent eight weeks at Acorn Vets while rotating between practices and it was great returning as a full-time team member. I’ve also made new friends on the programme as we have been able to support each other and meet up socially.”
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