Referrals
At Willow Veterinary Clinic we are proud of the multidisciplinary qualifications and experience our vets currently hold.
Referral team qualifications
Our staff currently hold certificates in the below fields.
Veterinary Advanced practitioner status
- Ophthalmology x 2
- Small animal surgery x 2
- Small Animal Medicine
- Feline Medicine
- Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care
- Small Animal Diagnostic Imaging
Veterinary General practitioner
- Neurology
- Exotics
- Small Animal Diagnostic Imaging
- Emergency & Critical care
Nursing certificates (Ncert & Dip)
- Anaesthesia x 4
- Behaviour
- Emergency and critical care
- Feline nursing
- Dentistry
- Exotics x 2
- Wound management (BSAVA Merit Award)
- Rescuer certificate (Recover)
What is the difference between a first opinion vet, advanced practitioner, and a specialist diplomat?
There are three main levels of additional veterinary qualification used in the UK.
General Practitioner certificate (GPcert & PGcert)
Vets who hold certificates in their chosen area of expertise (post-nominals Cert) have undertaken self-study and passed an exam accredited by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Certificate is the first level of veterinary postgraduate qualification and demonstrates that clinicians are experienced in their chosen area. Most certificate holders work to a very high level in their chosen area; some will offer a first-tier referral service whilst also working as a first opinion, general practice vets.
Advanced Practitioner certificate (certAVP)
Advanced practitioner status can be applied for after finishing a veterinary certificate (post nominals certAVP). The advanced practitioner status requires the vet to pass additional learning and undertake a minimum level of international (specialist) CPD every year ensuring they are remaining up to date in their field of expertise. This is generally regarded one of the highest levels a vet can achieve in general veterinary practice without completing a diploma.
Specialist or a diploma holder (dip)
Specialist veterinary status is the highest level of recognition of expertise in the veterinary profession. Veterinary specialist / veterinary diploma holders (accredited by the European or American College; post nominals for internal medicine specialist are DipECVIM-CA or DipACVIM-CA) have undertaken intensive training, lasting a minimum of 3 years supervised closely by other board-certified diploma holders. Specialist veterinary status is extremely difficult to achieve and maintain. Diplomates must re-accredit their status every 5 years by collecting points awarded for lecturing, research and visiting of the national or international congresses.
Please email the completed form, along with any patient history, to referrals@willowsvets.co.uk