2002 was a busy year here at Rowe Referrals thanks to your continued support. The New Year brings many exciting changes to Rowe Referrals. We have expanded the disciplines covered by the service to include Dermatology, Behavioral medicine and Neurology. We also have some new faces joining our exisiting medicine and surgical service who we are sure will allow us provide an ever improving service.

Ophthalmology

Tim Knott continues to provide a second opinion ophthalmology service based at out Thornbury site. He is happy to see cases at our Bradley Stoke hospital when this is more convenient for your clients. Tim is very keen to encourage practices to use the email advice service. With the improvement in digital camera technology it is now very straightforward to take images of eyes and send these with a case history via email. Tim's email address is timknott@rowevetgroup.com.

Exotics

Chris Artingstall continues to run the exotic medicine and referral service. One of Chris's more challenging cases recently was to remove a 600g stone from a tortoises bladder! Chris is happy to see exotic animals of all species - tortoises to tigers. He can be contacted for advice on 01453 843295 or via email on chrisartingstall@rowevetgroup.com.

Tim Knott also helps Chris with exotics especially with fish cases- you can contact Chris and Tim for advice regarding fish by phone or on aquatics@rowevetgroup.com

Surgery

We are committed to the continued improvement of the surgical service and to this end we are pleased to announce the expansion of the surgery department.
Orthopaedic cases will be dealt with by Mark Owen who offers a dedicated orthopaedic referral service based full time in our Bradley Stoke hospital. We are very pleased to have Mark playing a more active role in Rowe Referrals.
Mark's particular interests lie in minimal tissue damage surgery which relies heavily on arthroscopic surgery. Mark routinely performs complex fracture fixation, limb lengthening procedures and spinal surgery.
Soft Tissue cases will be dealt with by an eminent visiting consultant surgeon with considerable expertise in soft tissue surgery especially urinary tract and thoracic surgery. Referral requests will be passed on to our consultant who will then contact you directly if it is appropiate to accept the case. Additional consultant surgeons with specific areas of expertise may also be called upon where required.

Our intensive care facilities our constantly being improved with the regular addition of extra equipment (for example blood gases, electrolytes etc.). We are also very proud to have two nurses holding the surgical Diploma and two more in the process of training towards this.

Internal Medicine

We are delighted to be able to announce that Dan Holden has joined the Referral team. Dan will be known to many of you by reputation, as he has been involved with many CPD programmes over the last few years. Dan has recently completed a critical care residency at the University of Bristol and we are now very lucky to have him working with us. As well as working for a well known CPD provider Dan offers a comprehensive second opinion service for internal medicine through Rowe Referrals. He can provide video-endoscopy, MRI scanning and Ultrasonography if required. His particular interests are cardio-respiratory medicine but he covers all aspects of internal medicine including interpretation of clinical data, ECG's. radiographs, video-endoscopy etc.
Dan replaces Kate Murphy who has provided an excellent service for us over the last 2 years. Kate leaves us to take to take up a position at the University or Bristol where we hope that she will be both happy and successful.

Dermatology

Nick Hartley joined us in November 2002 and now provides a second opinion dermatology service based in our Bradley Stoke hospital. Nick attained his Royal College Certificate in Dermatology in 1994 and is a member of the European Society of Veterinary Dermatology.

As you would expect, Nick's most commonly referred case is the persistently pruritic cat or dog, usually associated with allergy. A standard referral case will involve a 30-40 minute consultation followed by admission for further tests. Most cases will require skin scrapes and fungal culture while some will also require cytology and biopsies. Allergy testing is performed where required and both intradermal skin testing and IgE blood tests are available. Nick aims to provide a full case management service providing written reports and recommendations for long term management.

Behaviour

Dr Alison Blaxter joins us this month to provide a visiting behaviour referral service. Alison holds the diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling and has considerable experience in first opinion small animal medicine. Alison's consultation fee includes 6months telephone support for the owner and referring practice for each case and she aims to provide a written report for vet and owner within 7 days. Alison prefers to discuss each case with the referring vet prior to referral - your referral request will be passed on to Alison who will contact you as soon as possible.

Alternative/Complementary Medicine

Catherine runs our Alternative medicine referral service where her down to earth and sensible attitude is a huge asset in this increasingly popular aspect of Veterinary Medicine.

Catherine uses Homeopathic and Herbal remedies in all species, including farm and equine, both exclusively and, where required, in conjunction with conventional Veterinary treatment.

MRI

The Vet MRI scanner has proven invaluable over the last year. If any one wishes to have a tour please contact us and we will happily arrange for this.

And finally??

All of us here at Rowe Referrals would like to thank you for your support over the last 12 months and would like to wish you a happy and prosperous new year.