Veterinary group acquires 104-year-old practice in the Channel Islands
Guernsey’s oldest veterinary practice is looking forward to a new chapter in its 104-year history after joining York-based veterinary group, VetPartners.
Isabelle Vets, which has been looking after Guernsey’s pets, farm animals and horses since 1919, is the first veterinary practice on the island to join VetPartners, which has its headquarters in Clifton Moor, York.
VetPartners, which was established by vets in 2015, currently has 11,000 employees working across 700 sites.
It was originally set up by CEO Jo Malone with three practices in the North of England, including Minster Vets in York, where she was previously a vet and director.
Malone said: “We are excited to welcome our new colleagues from Isabelle Vets. They are a highly respected practice and are rightly proud of their reputation for providing outstanding care for the animals of Guernsey.
“We will support them to continue to deliver the best possible care for their patients and an excellent service for their clients, as well as being a great place to work.”
Jo Malone
Isabelle Vets directors, Doreen Munn-Litten and Sarah-Jane Heathcote, have run the practice in joint partnership for the last three years.
Munn-Litten, a surgeon, graduated from Glasgow University in 1995, and holds a Certificate in Small Animal Surgery. She has been a director of the practice since 2012.
Heathcote graduated from Liverpool University in 1999, and primarily focuses on looking after Guernsey’s horses. She joined as a director in 2015, and holds a Certificate in Equine Dentistry.
They will remain as practice leaders with their established team of 45 colleagues, including 11 vets.
Munn-Litten said: “What makes Isabelle Vets so special is that we are the longest established practice in Guernsey and generations of islanders have used our services so everyone feels we are a big part of the community.
“Having provided more than 100 years of service for the animals of Guernsey, it is important to us that we continue to progress for future generations with the practice in safe hands.
“We look after all the dairy herds on the island, most of the horses and many small animals, and partnering with a larger veterinary group will provide huge benefits.
“Through VetPartners, we will be able to access greater resources and expertise covering all species. We can tap into the knowledge of specialists who are part of VetPartners, which will be beneficial in an ever-changing environment when medicine and surgery are moving on as we want to stay at the forefront of excellence.”
New Era Vets, in Jersey, became VetPartners’ first Channel Islands practice in November 2019.
Following European expansion in 2019, the group now has practices in Italy, France, Germany, Ireland, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland as well as the Channel Islands.
