The Clinical Team
Tim Easter
BVMedSci BVM BVS DipECVS MRCVS
European & RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Surgery.
Director
Tim undertook his veterinary degree at the University of Nottingham. He graduated with the highest mark in his year in addition to winning several other academic awards. He then began his career at an independent small animal practice in Sussex. After a year of thoroughly enjoyable first opinion work, Tim decided to pursue specialisation and undertook a 12 month rotating internship at Willows Referral Service, one of the largest and busiest referral centers in the UK. After the internship he spent another 18 months in general small animal practice before returning to Willows to embark on a three year specialty surgery training position (residency). After successfully completing the residency and passing the qualifying examination, Tim was awarded the European Diploma in Small Animal Surgery. He then spent four years as an orthopaedic surgeon at a multidisciplinary referral center before starting OSS. In addition to clinical work, Tim enjoys teaching and he delivers an annual CPD course to vets wishing to gain more experience in orthopaedic surgery. He has presented at national and international conferences and is published in peer reviewed journals.
"I believe that each pet, owner and veterinary practice are different, and that treatment focused on the individual and centered around open and honest communication leads to excellent results and a positive experience for all parties."
Nichola Orchard
RVN NCert(SurgNsg)
Lead Surgical Nurse
Nichola began her career in veterinary nursing as a Patient Care Assistant in North West London. She then went on to study towards her Veterinary Nursing Diploma while working full time as a Student Veterinary Nurse. After Nichola qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse, she worked in a large hospital before moving into a referral hospital setting. During this time, Nichola experienced all aspects of nursing within a multi disciplinary centre, discovering her interest and passion in orthopaedics. Nichola advanced into the position of Lead Orthopaedic Nurse while gaining a certificate in Surgical Nursing.
Nichola has additionally attended a Total Hip Replacement course and delivered in-house CPD lectures to nursing colleagues.
Nichola enjoys supporting her colleagues and providing the best possible care to patients. Nichola employs a holistic approach to nursing and enjoys problem solving and forward planning to ensure optimal outcomes for each patients. Nichola treats everyday as a new opportunity to learn, develop and improve her practice.
Louise Richey
RVN NCert(Anaesth)
Surgical Nurse
Louise qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2016, having completed her training at a small first opinion practice. She then spent the following three years at a referral hospital where she achieved the position of Orthopaedic Nurse Practitioner.
After obtaining a certificate in Anaesthesia in 2021, Louise wanted a chance to utilise her knowledge in different settings so started to locum in a variety of first opinion practices. She subsequently split her time between locum work and a role in a referral hospital as Senior Imaging Nurse, where she was involved in MRI, CT and radiography.
To add to her skill set further, she is now studying for a certificate in Emergency and Critical Care.
At home Louise has a three-legged rescue Papillon and two very needy Devon Rex cats.
A Specialist surgeon has attained the highest level of qualification possible to treat your pet. To be called a Specialist in the UK, the veterinary governing body (the RCVS) requires that:
"an individual must have achieved a postgraduate qualification at least at Diploma level, and must additionally satisfy the RCVS that they make an active contribution to their specialty, have national and international acclaim and publish widely in their field."
A Diploma level surgical qualification is awarded by either:
The RCVS (RCVS Specialist)
The ECVS (European Specialist)*
The ACVS (American Specialist)*
*Members of the ECVS & ACVS can also apply for RCVS specialist status.
To attain the ECVS or ACVS Diploma vets must undertake a minimum of three years of specialty training (a residency) under direct supervision of an existing surgical specialist. During this time, ECVS candidates must complete at least 400 specialist level surgeries, publish a minimum of two research papers in peer reviewed journals, present at least five times including at National or International Conferences, and undertake further training in anaesthesia, internal medicine, diagnostic imaging and pathology.
If the requirements of the residency are met, the candidate is then required to pass a rigorous three day examination process and, once the diploma is obtained, surgeons must re-certify every five years to ensure they remain up to date with the demands of the profession.