Vets 

Peter Southerden                                                          Partner The Practice currently employs a total of 8 experienced full time Vets and 1 part time Vet. They bring to the team their own areas of special interest and expertise which allows us to offer such a wide range of services. All Vets choose to train regularly and attend CPD (Continuing Professional Development) courses to further their skills and keep them up to date.
MBA BVSc MRCVS
Pete purchased the old surgeries at Eastcott Hill and Cricklade Road in 1986 having only come to Swindon as a temporary locum. He has been at the helm since and has been instrumental in the practice's pursuit of excellence in all areas. As a partner his responsibilities are numerous and ill-defined! Pete's particular clinical interest is dentistry and his studies in this area have improved the range and quality of treatment that the practice now offers (see Dentistry Referrals). He is currently studying for a Diploma in Veterinary Dentistry. Away from work Pete devotes much of his time to his family (5 children!) and his pets (3 dogs, 2 cats). The rest of his time is filled as a Sunday school teacher, playing tennis and honing his skills on the saxophone. DIY and gardening complete the hectic line-up.

Richard Gowshall     Partner BVetMed MRCVS
Richard joined the practice in 1991 and subsequently became a partner in 1998. With a role equally as ill-defined as his partner, Richard is more involved in the day to day management of the practice. He has a keen interest in Internal Medicine particularly Cardio respiratory disease and he is studying towards a Certificate in Veterinary Cardiology. With just the 3 children (!) Richard can play more golf than Pete and also has some spare time for running, cycling, horse racing, reading and eating lots. He has a dog, a tortoise, a hamster called Colin and 3 goldfish to tend to at home. Richard can now boast that he survived the wrath of Anne Robinson in BBC's the Weakest Link, not only that be he also managed to go on to win! Well done Richard!

Patrick Ridge             Veterinary Surgeon BVSc Cert VR Cert SAS MRCVS           Patrick, who is from Somerset, qualified from Bristol Vet School in 1996 from the "Vets in Practice" year and joined us in September 2002 after a period of travelling abroad. He had previously worked in practices from Cornwall to London and more recently spent time as an orthopaedic resident at the University of Bristol Veterinary School. Patrick has a Certificate in Veterinary Radiology which reflects his interest in diagnostic imaging but he also hold a Certificate in Small Animal Surgery and is especially interested in spinal and orthopaedic surgery in particular arthroscopy ("key hole" joint surgery). Away from work he likes to cook, walk his dog Primrose and surf (though has found Swindon sadly lacking in big waves). An interest in food and fine wine helps him fit in with the rest of the team! Ross Worrall                                                Veterinary Surgeon MA Vet MB MRCVS Ross originates from the Oldham area and graduated from the Cambridge Veterinary School in 1998. He started at Eastcott in January 2003 having worked for us as a locum on 2 occasions previously. Ross's clinical interests include wound management, rabbit dentistry and small animal medicine for which he is studying for a Certificate. His interests outside of work include walking, cooking, gardening, visiting the gym (intermittently!) and archery.

Tim Charlesworth Veterinary Surgeon MA VetMB CertSAS MRCVS
Born and raised in Bristol, Tim attended Cambridge University qualifying in 2001. After a spell working in mixed practice he joined us in April 2003. His clinical interests lie in wound reconstruction, thoracic surgery and laparoscopy. Tim achieved the RCVS certificate in small animal surgery (CertSAS) in 2006 and will be specializing in soft tissue surgery by enrolling for the RVCS diploma in 2008. Another member of staff keen on the arts of brewing and gastronomy Tim tries to feel healthy by taking long walks with his dog Saffy.         Katie Illingworth                                           Veterinary Surgeon BVM&S MRCVS   Katie originates from Yorkshire and graduated from Edinburgh in 2003. Following graduation she ?returned home? to work in mixed practice in the North Yorkshire dales and joined us here at Eastcott in January 2006 after spending a period as a locum in small animal practices. Her clinical interests are in surgery, particularly soft tissue. In her spare time she enjoys walking with her dog Saxon, reluctantly going to the gym in an attempt to stay fit, woodcarving, cooking, sewing and reading.       Duncan Barnes                               Veterinary Surgeon MA VetMB Cert SAS MRCVS     Duncan comes from Hampshire and graduated from Cambridge University in 2001 and worked in small animal practice in Middlesex and Essex for 6 years before joining us in September 2007. He achieved the Certificate of Small Animal Surgery in 2006 and is currently working towards a Certificate of Small Animal Medicine. Currently, his main interests are in cardiology, endocrinology and ultrasonography. Outside work he likes walking with wife Jo and golden retriever 'Able' and enjoys cycling, swimming, running and competing in triathlons. All of which is fueled by Duncan's main interest which is in good food.

Ida Gilbert                                                    Veterinary Surgeon

BVSc CertVOphthal MRCVS

Ida graduated from Bristol in 1995.  She joined the practice in 1997 after two years in mixed practise.  She obtained the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons? Certificate in Veterinary Ophthalmology in 2001 and now provides normal consultations as well as referrals for eye conditions and ocular surgery.  Ida has a busy family life with 2 children, a dog and cats which naturally take up a large slice of her spare time.  She does however also enjoy pursuing her interests in dance, gardening and travelling home to her beloved Norway.