Veterinary Nurses
Highcroft has 21 fully qualified veterinary nurses which is outstanding for a practice of this size. They provide excellent support for the rest of our team, both veterinary surgeons and reception staff and, most importantly, for you and your pet.
Natasha Watts RVN
Nurse Manager
Natasha joined Highcroft in 1992 and qualified as a veterinary nurse in 1999.
As our head nurse, Natasha looks after the pharmacy and the nursing staff, ensuring that our high standard of clinical care is maintained.
She is currently studying for a management qualification with the Chartered Institute of Management.
Natasha also works closely with the Bristol League for Cats (rescue charity), helping them where she can and liaising with them on our behalf.
Vicki Campho RVN
Deputy Nurse Manager
Vicki joined Highcroft in 1999 and qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2005. She also holds a certificate in Parasitology and is a Bayer Healthy Pet Advisor.
As Deputy Head Nurse, and in addition to her nursing duties, Vicki works alongside Natasha and manages the nurse rotas.
Vicki holds a BVNA Certificate in Dentistry and runs dental clinics on Tuesdays where she gives pre-op checks, tooth brushing lessons and advice on preventative treatments.
Virginia Board RVN
Veterinary Nurse
Gin joined Highcroft in 2003 as a fully qualified Veterinary Nurse (VN 2003).
Gin holds an Advanced Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour from the Centre of Applied Pet Ethology (COAPE) and is also a qualified pet bereavement counselor and a Hill's Pet Health Counselor
As well as stocking and organising our Whitchurch Hospital pharmacy Gin also supports Lorraine Smith during her Oncology clinics.
Laura Curtis BSc RVN
Deputy Nurse Manager
Laura joined Highcroft in 2003 and qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2004.
As well as her RCVS Veterinary Nursing qualification, Laura has a Higher National Diploma in Veterinary Nursing Science.
As deputy Head Nurse, and in addition to her nursing duties, Laura supports Vicki and Natasha.
Kati Heddington RVN CertExotics
Exotic Species Nurse
Kati joined Highcroft in 1999 and qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2002.
Kati has a City and Guilds Certificate in Veterinary Nursing of Exotic Species and works closely with Polly Cornwell, our exotic species veterinary surgeon. Kati also runs regular nurse clinics.
In addition, Kati holds the A1 Assessor qualifications which allow her to help and mentor our student veterinary nurses.
Ursula Bradshaw DipHE CVN RVN
Ursula joined Highcroft in 2005 and qualified as a veterinary nurse in January 2006. She has since gained a Diploma in Clinical Veterinary Nursing and is currently studying for a Degree in Advanced Veterinary Nursing.
Ursula works at our Whitchurch hospital and surgery and is particularly interested in dentistry, surgery and helping clients through our Nurse Clinics.
Kirstan Badcock RVN
Kirstan joined Highcroft in 2003.
She works at the Stockwood surgery helping the veterinary surgeons in surgery and supporting the reception staff.
Kirstan is always happy to give advice to clients on pet related topics such as diet, worming and flea control, behaviour etc.
Kelly Rogers RVN
Lab Nurse
Kelly joined Highcroft in 2001 with a Diploma in Animal Care, and qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2006.
Kelly has a special interest in laboratory work and runs our state of the art blood sampling laboratory.
Kelly studies canine and feline haematology on an ongoing basis and is currently studying faecal flotations for worm eggs and bacteria.
Janine Fletcher RVN
Head Nurse, Keynsham
Janine qualified as a veterinary nurse in 1986 and joined Highcroft in 2006 as Head Nurse at Keynsham Veterinary Centre.
As head nurse, Janine helps to organize the nursing duties and ensures that we maintain our high clinical standards.
Janine is particularly interested in hand-rearing orphaned animals, many of which have been rescued by members of the public and brought into the surgery - she has hand reared owls, squirrels, hedgehogs, rabbits, kittens and puppies before finding new homes for them.
Natalie Rey RVN
Natalie qualified as a veterinary nurse in 1999 and joined Highcroft with Keynsham Veterinary Centre (formerly Charlton Park) in 2006.
She continues to work at our Keysham surgery helping the vets in surgery and looking after our clients and their pets on reception.
Natalie is always happy to give advice to clients on pet related topics such as diet, worming and flea control, behaviour etc.
Sarah Jones RVN
Sarah joined Highcroft in 2004, initially as a kennel person. She is now a fully qualified veterinary nurse based at our Whitchurch hospital and surgery.
Sarah runs our nurse clinics and is currently studying for her rehabilitation qualification to assist our orthopaedic team. Sarah also works in our Insurance Department preparing pet insurance claims.
Sarah Knowlson RVN
Sarah joined Highcroft in 2008 and is based at our Whitchurch hospital and surgery.
Sarah is our referral nurse and has a special interest in cardiology. She works closely with cardiology vets, Oliver Garrod and Luca Ferasin (RCVS visiting specialist).
Fay Weaver RVN
Fay qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2002 and joined Highcroft in 2004.
She is one of our night nurses at our Whitchurch Veterinary Hospital caring for our inpatient pets (along with our nursing auxiliaries) and supporting our out of hours vets.
Fay answers our out of hours emergency telephone offering first aid and emergency guidance and directing them to the hospital where required.
She is particularly interested in critical care.
Gemma Pitt RVN
Gemma joined Highcroft as a fully qualified veterinary nurse in January 2006.
Gemma is one of our nurses at our Whitchurch Veterinary Hospital and runs our nurse clinics. Gemma is also heavily involved in organising Highcroft charity events helping raise money for local and national charities.
Gemma, together with Caroline Webber, also won a runner up prize in 2011 for running a local nurse event during Veterinary Nursing Week.
Laurie Rawlins RVN
Laurie joined Highcroft in 2004 as a kennel person, and qualified as a veterinary nurse nurse in 2009. She is based at our Whitchurch hospital and surgery.
Liz Davies RVN
Liz joined Highcroft in 2002 having completed her work experience with the practice. She is now a fully qualified veterinary nurse (2010).
Liz has an interest in and is studying animal behaviour.
Ashley Crews RVN
Ashley joined Highcroft with Keynsham Veterinary Centre (formerly Charlton Park) in 2006 and she qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2011. Ashley devotes much of her spare time hand rearing and re-homing abandoned puppies and kittens.
Ashley now works full time at our Whitchurch Veterinary Hospital.
Caroline Webber BSc RVN
Prep Nurse
Caroline joined Highcroft at the end of 2009 as a final year veterinary nurse student (BSc). She has since completed her degree and now one of our most highly qualified nurses.
Caroline, together with Gemma Pitt, won a runner up prize in 2011 for running a local nurse event during Veterinary Nursing Week.
Caroline is now Prep Nurse at our Whitchurch hospital and organizes the operations, gives the pre-meds and prepares the operating theatres, surgical kits and equipment.
Becky Hunt RVN
Becky joined Highcroft in October 2011 having previously worked at Lucas Vets. Becky qualified in 2010 and is training to be a dental nurse.
Becky has a special interest in feline care and has completed a FAB/COAPE course in Advanced Feline Friendly Nursing and is studying towards the Expert Level Feline Friendly Nursing Diploma.
Alex Lomas RVN
Alex joined Highcroft in December 2011 having previously worked for a vets in Midsomer Norton. Alex works at our Whitchurch surgery and hospital.
Sam Blackman ANA, Student VN
Sam joined Highcroft in 2006 as our Kennel Person having been with us twice before on work experience.
Sam is a qualified Animal Nursing Assistant, and is currently studying to be Veterinary Nurse. Sam works full time at our Whitchurch hospital and surgery.
Holly Edwards, Student ANA
Holly joined Highcroft in 2007 as our Kennel Person.
Holly now works full time as a trainee Animal Nursing Assistant at our Whitchurch Hospital and Surgery.
Jordon Gunstone Student VN
Jordan joined Highcroft in 2009 as a Kennel Person. He is now a trainee Veterinary Nurse working with the Veterinary team at our Whitchurch hospital and surgery.
Auxiliary Nursing Staff
Vicky Palmer
Vicky joined Highcroft in 2010 as a Kennel Person.
Vicky cares for our inpatients, feeding, walking and comforting them where required. She also assists our veterinary nurses and makes sure that everything is clean.
Carla Dark
Carla joined Highcroft in 2010 as our Kennel Person.
Carla works with Vicky and Lucy, caring for our inpatients, feeding, walking and comforting them where required. Carla also assists our veterinary nurses and makes sure that everything is clean.
Judith Parfitt
Judith joined Highcroft in 2007 as an overnight auxiliary nurse, helping with the care of the inpatients, feeding and walking them where required and making sure everything is clean and all the instruments are sterilized.
