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www.ilkestonlife.com ILKESTON LIFE October 2021 5

Retirement of our Mobile emergency

chairman/president ‘K-999’ surgery
launched by
Eileen Knight Derbyshire vet

On the 30th June 2020, our
Chairman and President, Derbyshire mobile vet service Vet-
Eileen Knight retired her Care@Home has taken delivery of
positions after eight years a new surgery-on-wheels to conduct
of service as chairman, the emergency and scheduled pet opera-
last two years serving also tions on the road.
as president - all members VetCare@Home has invested a signif-
of the League would like icant sum purchasing and converting
to place on record grateful the 6.5-tonne vehicle, a former ambu-
thanks for all of Eileen’s lance mobile command centre that was
hard and diligent work originally built for the 2012 London
during this period. Olympics.
Whilst retiring her posi- The move was primarily to reduce the
tions at the helm, she will cilities and greatly benefit stress, trauma and inconvenience – to could say it’s a genuine ‘K-999’ emer- ments and life-saving treatments on the
continue to be a member of patients, staff and the wider pets and their owners - caused by often gency service!” way to hospital if required.”
the League in support of its community. We very much having to travel long distances to static Combined with its existing clinics VetCare@Home is also planning to
various ongoing activities. hope that these facilities can clinics and animal hospitals for routine covering the whole of Derbyshire, focus more heavily on dentistry work
A very great number of be re-opened in the very operations. operating from bases in Belper and the with its new mobile surgery.
projects of benefit to the near future as they have Specially kitted-out with a self-lev- High Peak, the firm’s new mobile sur- “We see a lot of cats and dogs that
hospital and patients have been sorely missed during elling suspension, fully adjustable gical unit represents a service addition require dental work,” said Dr Rosie.
been completed during the pandemic. operating table, lead lining for x-rays, that is not currently offered by many “And that’s something we can now
Eileen’s tenure at the helm We would all like to wish theatre lighting, recovery kennels, ox- veterinary practices. provide easily, right on people’s door-
but the most important one Eileen the very best of ygen system, awning, anaesthetic and Dr Rosie believes that it will allow the steps. We’re all very excited.
is undoubtedly the re-siting health and happiness for the lab-testing equipment, the vehicle also company to eventually expand to other “Many parts of Derbyshire are very
of the café facility and the future. contains an autoclave for sterilising parts of the UK, increase its number remote,” he added, “and some people
creation of the League of Mike Lathbury instruments and its own marine-style of nurses and veterinary surgeons and don’t have their own transport, or they
Friends shop on the hospital Press Officer. League of emergency generator. even offer its service nationally to may be disabled or elderly. This is why
site. Friends of Ilkeston Commu- “It’s a substantial investment for us, zoos, dog shows and similar events. the new mobile surgery will prove so
These are wonderful fa- nity Hospital. but the possibilities are huge,” said Dr “The unit will be predominately used important.”
John Rosie, founder and director of
Pictured: Nurses Justine Spivey and
for scheduled, routine operations, as
When I wanted to VetCare@Home. “There’s no reason real emergencies will usually still Emitt Parrott with Dr John Rosie.
give up, that we won’t be able to carry out any require overnight or longer-term hospi-
God told me type of conceivable operation in the talisation,” he said. “But even in those
to get up, field now. If you’re a dog owner, you cases, we can carry out initial assess-