SOUTHWEST

Philip Elkins BVM&S MRCVS Director   

Phil joined Westpoint in 2009 following stints working in Devon, Cheshire and New Zealand and now works from the Winnard’s Perch branch. In late 2011, he became the local Director for Westpoint in the southwest. Phil’s main clinical interests are based around the improving of farm businesses through structured herd interventions. He currently sits on the milk hygiene working group within Westpoint and has been integral in the introduction of the Milk4life plans. He is currently studying for his Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice.

Phil’s spare time is spent with his wife Julie and two sons and if there is any time left after that he can sometimes be seen running round muddy fields playing rugby for the Newquay Hornets.

Rachel Risdon BVSc CertCHP MRCVS Associate Director 

Rachel qualified from Bristol University in 1997 and spent several years in mixed, though mainly farm animal, practice in West Devon/North Cornwall.  She then returned to Bristol University as a Farm Animal resident and gained her Certificate in Cattle Health and Production before moving to work for the Animal Health Centre in Waikato, New Zealand, where she learned more about block calving systems and liver biopsying for mineral status. 

Rachel returned to North Cornwall/Devon, set up a branch of Stock 1st farm vets from scratch and married a dairy farmer!  Stock 1st merged with Westpoint 18 months later and the Southwest branch has continued to grow. Rachel manages to juggle work with looking after two of the farmers of the future at home

Chris Just BVSc MRCVS Senior Vet

Chris graduated from Bristol Vet School in 2003.  After 18 months of mixed practice in this home county of Cornwall, he gave up the life of sun, surf and bovine TB and moved to Cheshire.  There he worked in a ten farm vet team doing dedicated farm only practice for four years, mainly with the high production Holstein dairy herds of the Cheshire plains.  After this time severe signs of Cornish pasty withdrawal had set in and Cheshire cheese really isn't a substitute, so when Westpoint Veterinary Group offered a position with the team of farm only vets based in the Southwest, he was back like a shot.

Chris' dedication to cattle medicine has led to a keen interest in foot care, mastitis, fertility and healthy calf production.  His interest in foot care has led to a position as veterinary liaison on the committee of the National Association of Cattle Foot Trimmers since 2007.  He is also interested in analysis of conventional disease recording data.

Outside of work Chris likes to keep fit running and hiking the moors of Cornwall and Devon with his dog Vinny - often seen accompanying him on daily rounds!

 

Jason Parker BVetMed MRCVS 

Having been brought up (mainly) in Yorkshire, Bedfordshire and Sussex, he graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 1996.  His first job was a true mixed practice in Northern Ireland, where he stayed for an enjoyable 15 months before heading to Truro in Cornwall.  He joined a large animal (horses and farm animals) practice specialising there in cattle work. 

Before and during the Foot and Mouth outbreak , Jason worked for Defra/Maff. After a brief spell in South Africa doing cattle and equine work, he once again returned to Cornwall to Westpoint in their Launceston office in February 2008.

He now works from the premises at Winnard's Perch near Truro, which opened in January 2009. 

Despite constant practice he still can't play football or play the guitar. 

Lesley Bingham BVM&S MRCVS    

Originally from Cumbria, Lesley graduated from Edinburgh University in 2007 and moved to Devon to start her career in mixed practice, after 2 years she decided to focus on farm work and joined Westpoint at their Launceston branch in October 2009. Lesley has particlar interests in mastitis control and implementing Profit Improvement Plans (PIPs) for our beef and sheep clients. When she is not working Lesley enjoys playing hockey and walking on the moors with her dogs.

Julie Elkins BSc BVM&S MRCVS 

Having already completed an Agricultural degree at Edinburgh University, Julie qualified from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in 2005. She then chose to leave behind her Scottish roots and headed south to work in Devon and Hampshire. Following a short spell in New Zealand, Julie & husband Phil returned home to Cornwall to start a family. Julie will be working part time whilst juggling family life (and a demanding husband!!).  Julie has a particular interest in calf rearing and fertility.

Becky Adamczyk  BVetMed MRCVS

Becky graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2010 and went straight on to become an Intern with the Westpoint/RVC Joint Venture Practice. Through this she worked with Westpoint's branches in Essex and Hertfordshire, gaining experience of general practice. She moved to Cornwall in 2011 and is now living in Wadebridge, working from the Winnard’s Perch branch. She enjoys working with both cattle and sheep but has a strong interest in sheep medicine.
  

In her spare time Becky enjoys cooking, walking her dog Austin and is working on her surfing and gig rowing skills.

Kumar Sivam BVSc CertCHP MSc MBA MRCVS     

Since graduating as a vet from Bristol University, most of Kumar’s working life has been in veterinary practice in the UK. Kumar holds two masters degrees; one in disease control and the other in business administration. In addition he also holds the Certificate in Cattle Health and Production. His experience and qualifications put him in a strong position to take a broad view of a farming business, whilst focusing on animal health.

Kumar and his wife are from Taunton and moved to Cornwall in 2003; they have strong family links to dairy farming and the meat trade in the West Country.

Pat Shaw BVSc MRCVS 

Pat having graduated from Bristol University in 1974, provides veterinary services to Blade enterprises across the South West. Pat also helps out with TB testing when the workload allows.

Pat is a keen horse owner and trainer.

Kath Dawe 

Office Administrator Trethorne

Kerra Stockman

   Fiona Barrett   

   Office Administrator Winnard's Perch

Jacky Parsons 

Office Administrator