TV vet helps launch upgraded equipment at Blacks

Blacks Vets in Dudley, West Midlands, has extended and upgraded its Hall Street hospital to add another operating theatre and install a GE Healthcare Revolution ACT CT system.

Following investment of more than £350,000, the facilities are now fully operational. In an official opening ceremony actor Christopher Timothy, who starred as James Herriot in the original All Creatures Great and Small TV series, gave his seal of approval via video link.

Clinical director Dr Brian Hogan said: “Our ethos is for Blacks to be at the heart of veterinary excellence and this is central to everything we do. The new CT scanner is a fantastic diagnostic tool that will enable us to help our patients even more efficiently and quickly.

“It delivers much greater detail than an x-ray or ultrasound and we will be able to determine depth and angle accurately, and view blood vessels, bones and tissues at the same time. The level of detail is remarkable,” Dr Hogan continued. “It’s great for a huge range of issues including middle ear, lungs, tumours, bone problems, checking metal plates and frameworks, identifying cancers and other problems far quicker than before so it’s a real leap forward.

“We are extremely proud to offer such first-class facilities and veterinary expertise, and promise that while we are now big enough to handle the most serious cases, we are also small enough to deliver a truly personal approach to care for our clients and their pets as the unique individuals they are.”

Actor Timothy, who visited Blacks Vets six years ago to officially open its newly- refurbished hospital, was unable to make it back in person but provided a ringing endorsement via a live video link. He said: “Blacks has always enjoyed a fine reputation as the go-to veterinary practice for pet owners around the West Midlands. I know the team at Blacks, supported by Linnaeus, has always been determined that the hospital’s ethos should revolve around being at the heart of veterinary excellence.”

In 2019, the practice won the ‘Best place to work’ accolade in the Wolverhampton Express and Star’s business awards, with receptionist Kendall Clee scooping the ‘Receptionist of the year award’ at the British Veterinary Reception Congress. In addition, Dr Hogan reached the final of Pet Plan’s search for the UK’s Vet of the Year.

Lead picture: Marking the arrival of a GE Healthcare Revolution ACT CT system are Dr Christiaan Blignaut, Dr Fiona Allsop, clinical director Dr Girish Thakral and Dr Kevin Orembo.

Published on the front page of the March 2021 issue of RAD Magazine.