Expansion underway at SCVS vet hospital in Ringwood

Pet owners across the region will benefit from a major development to Southern Counties Veterinary Specialist (SCVS) in Forest Corner Farm, Ringwood, with an aim to help ease the demand for specialist treatment amid the ‘pandemic pet boom’.

Work on the development is underway and will see the addition of a new two-storey building which will add a new reception and waiting area, with a private waiting room for sensitive cases, multiple new consulting rooms, as well as additional out-patient procedure rooms and extensive new equipment.

There will also be a brand-new operating theatre complex, a physiotherapy and hydrotherapy suite, dedicated consulting room and large arena area with gait analysis capability.

SCVC veterinary hospital in Ringwood prior to redevelopment

When complete, the development will see the current premises size double to 30,000 ft2.

With around 200 staff, SCVS is one of the top employers in Ringwood and the expansion will create 20 new jobs in the area.

Cats will also be well looked after at the facility, with a dedicated cat-friendly waiting area and a cat-only consulting room to minimise owners’ stress when visiting the hospital.

Hospital director Stephen Collins said: “After two long years of Covid restrictions, we are very much looking forward to inviting clients from the area into this fabulous facility and providing them, and their pets, with the exceptional care they deserve.

“We are very excited about the developments at our Ringwood Hospital and are looking forward to opening our doors later this year.

CGI of redevelopment plans for SCVC veterinary hospital in Ringwood. Picture: IVC Evidensia

“The additional buildings, including a new lecture theatre to train clinicians, as well as new equipment and staff investment will provide us with the resources to further enhance the referral services we provide, supporting the local pet-owning community.”

Kennel space for staff dogs has also been increased, further supporting SCVS’s ‘bring your dog to work’ policy.

The SCVS redevelopment the largest in a group-wide investment programme and the latest phase is expected to be completed in October this year.

Once the new buildings open, redevelopment of the existing hospital buildings will start. This area will be redesigned and refurbished.

Visit scvetspecialists.co.uk/ for more information.