A WELLINGTON veterinary referral centre has appointed a new clinical director, who is keen to build on the good work of his predecessor.

Will McFadzean takes over from Nele Van den Steen at Linnaeus-owned Cave Veterinary Specialists, near Wellington, and will be a familiar face to many since he first stepped through the doors at the popular animal hospital almost seven years ago.

Will, who is an EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia and an RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia will continue to hold the position of head of specialist services.

Meanwhile, Nele continues her passion for the veterinary profession and patients as an internal medicine specialist.

Will said: “The opportunity to become clinical director was one not to be missed. I’d wanted to do it for some time but wanted to stay at Cave, so all the pieces fitted the puzzle.

“Cave’s a fantastic place to work with a young, dynamic team providing new thinking and new techniques.

“It’s a very close team which is something I’d like to focus on, enabling the hospital to progress even further to the benefit of patients and clients.”

Will is also keen to engage and provide further support to referring vets, as he has experience of the demands faced by colleagues in the wider profession.

He was also keen to praise his predecessor and added: “Nele has done a fantastic job making Cave one of the leading veterinary referral hospitals, not just in the South West but the whole of the UK and even further afield.

“Cave is now firmly established as providing pioneering treatment techniques, offering the utmost care to patients and clients and a supportive environment for all team members. I will do my very best to expand on this.”

Cave, located just minutes from Junction 26 on the M5, offers comprehensive, specialist-led services in anaesthesia, cardiology, dermatology, internal medicine, neurology and neurosurgery, oncology, orthopaedic surgery and soft tissue surgery.

It launched a new dentistry and oral surgery service last year, which also boasts a brand-new dedicated dental suite.

To make it more convenient for pet owners further afield to receive specialist veterinary care, Cave has also launched a virtual consultation service.

This service allows more pets referred by their primary care practice to benefit from Cave’s expert care and advice.