About us
Fitzpatrick Referrals was created to be an environment where compassionate care could be married with excellence in veterinary medicine.
Our innovations in prosthetic and implant surgery are often unique, but we approach both common and more challenging orthopaedic and neurological conditions with the same tailored, expert treatment and care.
What we believe
We know our patients and their families deserve choice, hope and compassion as much as our veterinary expertise. Whatever our role, we know we are contributing to the well-being of every animal and every family that comes through our door – and to the well-being of animals and families we will never meet.
Innovation
Our commitment to veterinary science and respect for the human-animal relationship goes far beyond our day-to-day services. We strive to move the whole veterinary world forward through innovation, integrity and exchanging knowledge with both human and veterinary professionals.
Compassion
We want to build a world where the very best veterinary care is available to every animal and where the bond between humans and their animal companions is respected and understood as a relationship between loving family members.
Choice
Animals and their guardians deserve all the options, all the time; they deserve choice and hope as much as veterinary expertise. We help families understand their role in choosing the right treatment for their animal companions.
about us
Our story
Fitzpatrick Referrals was founded by Professor Noel Fitzpatrick in 2005. His vision was to create an exceptional environment where compassionate care could be married with excellence in veterinary medicine, providing hope, and options for families in the UK and beyond.
A ‘hut’ in the woods
The original Fitzpatrick Referrals was based in Tilford , Surrey, where an MRI truck would visit fortnightly to scan patients.
A field of dreams
Noel had been looking for a location to build a state-of-the-art referral practice and, through a patient, found a rundown farm. Work began in 2005 to transform it into a specialist centre for companion animals.
A vision becomes reality
The centre in Eashing, Surrey, was completed in 2008, and the team moved in to their new purpose-built base, complete with a rehabilitation centre, several fully kitted out operating suites and advanced imaging suite.
A landmark year
The hospital was formally opened by HRH Duke of Kent in 2009. In the same year, Noel became the first veterinary surgeon in the world to successfully apply a cutting-edge amputation prosthesis (PerFiTS) for a cat named Oscar who had lost both hind paws in an accident.
Further enhancement
The wards underwent an upgrade in 2011, boasting bacterial-resistant wipe-down wall coverings and floor surfaces with underground heating, and air conditioning optimised for high efficiency particulate air to minimise the possibility of infection. The reinforced glass doors, rather than gates or bars, permit a wide field of view for the animals and allow them to feel as much at home as possible.
Fitzpatrick Referrals on the small screen
Fitzpatrick Referrals became a household name when Channel 4 started airing The Supervet in 2014. The show has run for a decade across 19 series, including several special episodes. The programme showcases the work of the practice and explores the importance of the human-animal bond in the context of advanced medical and surgical care.
A revolutionary new centre
Noel extended the practice in 2018 and built FIRST – Fitzpatrick Institute for the Restoration of Skeletal Tissue, a service dedicated to regenerative medicine, to broaden the scope of options to families and their dog or cat affected by osteoarthritis.
Today
Fitzpatrick Referrals has over 170 staff and has been at the forefront of specialist veterinary medicine for almost 20 years.
Our facilities
The centre in Eashing is located against a beautiful backdrop in rural Surrey, in the southeast of England.
Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Rehabilitation centre on site
Good rehabilitation is integral to the successful recovery of the conditions we treat. We offer inpatient and outpatient one-on-one sessions in a sunlit space equipped with a spacious and built-in hydrotherapy pool, underwater treadmill and exercise field.
One of the most advanced diagnostic imaging suites available
We operate an entirely digital imaging system for the rapid and effective diagnosis of patients, including MRI, CT, and arthroscopy. This high standard takes us closer to the resolution of most conditions and facilitates early diagnosis, minimising patient trauma and optimising recovery.
Environment of healing
Natural light is an important part of the care package offered in our wards. Panoramic windows and night-time dimmers provide a diurnal rhythm to help comfort anxious animals and help those with separation anxiety to settle.
In-house chartered physiotherapists
Our expert team create a case-by-case rehabilitation programme including physiotherapy and hydrotherapy sessions for all of our patients ensuring that all get only the very best in postoperative care.
World leaders in joint replacement surgery
Including hip, shoulder, stifle, elbow and hock. We are one of only a few practices nationwide offering hip replacements for cats and knee and shoulder replacements for dogs. We are the only hospital in the UK offering custom-made prostheses for all the major joints.
We are the ONLY practice in the world offering certain types of limb prostheses
Including endoprostheses to replace limb cancer and the PerFiTS device – a uniquely designed prosthesis incorporating the combination of an endoprosthesis and exoprosthesis, avoiding limb amputation.
We have special expertise in treating severe trauma
With associated tissue loss, growth deformities, arthroscopic minimally invasive surgery and several innovative spinal decompression, disc replacement and spinal fusion techniques which we have invented.
Infection control
The hospital has bacterial-resistant wipe-down wall coverings and floor surfaces with underground heating, and air conditioning optimised for high-efficiency particulate air to minimise the possibility of infection.
ABOUT
Our values
Our vision is to deliver with compassion and integrity the very best and most appropriate treatment for every animal entrusted to our care. We strive to move the whole veterinary world forward through innovation and the exchanging knowledge.
Integrity
We always endeavour to do the right thing.
Innovation
We challenge ourselves to develop new and better ways to solve problems.
Care
We care passionately about what we do.
Education
We are totally committed to learning and sharing knowledge and information.
Community
We work best when we work as a team.
Our dog absolutely loves his visits to the hydro pool and even pulls on his lead to get in there.
OUR TEAM
Meet the team
Our experienced team, facilities and range of surgical and non-surgical solutions place us at the very forefront of modern veterinary orthopaedics.
Professor Noel Fitzpatrick
Managing Director
Dr Sarah Girling
Senior Surgeon, Orthopaedics
Dr James Guthrie
Senior Surgeon, Orthopaedics
Dr Jan Janovec
Senior Surgeon, Orthopaedics
Dr Mario Coppola
Orthopaedic Registrar
Dr Katia Marioni-Henry
Senior Surgeon, Neurology
Dr Marc Pérez Soteras
Neurologist
QUESTIONS
FAQs
Here are some of the common questions we receive at Fitzpatrick Referrals – if your question is not answered, please get in touch and we will be happy to help!
Can I arrange a visit to Fitzpatrick Referrals?
We regret that we do not offer visits or tours to the public. We are a busy referral practice working with vulnerable cases 24/7 365 days of the year, and our first priority is our patients and their families.
We do offer visits for veterinary professionals.
Do you take on work experience students?
We currently only provide work experience to veterinary undergraduate students who can find more information on arranging extra-mural studies. Due to our commitment to the training of undergraduate veterinary students and the busy and specialised nature of referral practice, we are unable to offer work experience placements to school and sixth-form students
CAREERS
Join the team
We are always looking to strengthen our team with skilled, dedicated, passionate professionals.
