SOUTHWEST

Rachel Risdon BVSc CertCHP MRCVS 

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.

Becky Adamczyk  MRCVS

Becky graduated from the Royal Veterinary College and went straight on to become an Intern with the college. She split her time between working at the college's hospital with all manner of interesting production animal cases, with the Welsh Regional Veterinary Centre investigating disease surveillance and with Westpoint's branches in Essex and Hertfordshire. She enjoys working with big production units but also has a keen interest in individual animal medicine and hopes to further develop on all these skills.

In her spare time Becky enjoys playing hockey and cooking and is working on her surfing skills.

Pat Shaw BVSc MRCVS 

Pat graduated from Bristol University in 1974.

Chris Just BVSc MRCVS

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 e.g NMR and Interherd.

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!

 

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. When she is not working Lesley enjoys playing hockey and walking on the moors with her dogs.

Philip Elkins BVM&S MRCVS   

Originally a West Country boy, Phil qualified from the Edinburgh in 2005 before returning to Devon and the joys of mixed practice.  Two years later he decided to concentrate solely on farm animals and, following stints in Nantwich and New Zealand, decided to join the growing Westpoint farm animal veterinary team in Cornwall in early 2009.

Phil is now the senior vet for the Winnards Perch branch. He enjoys all aspects of farm care, but has particular interests in managing mastitis and implementing Johne’s control programmes. Phil is trained in implementing the DairyCo Mastitis Control Plan, and is also currently studying for a RCVS Certificate in Production Animal Practice

Phil lives in St Columb and manages somehow to balance a healthy enthusiasm for work with playing rugby for Wadebridge Camels, pretending to know how to surf and spending time with his wife Julie and rapidly growing son.

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.  He then re-joined his old practice in Truro, this time taking equine veterinary work as well.  After a brief spell in South Africa doing cattle and equine work, he once again returned to Cornwall to his old practice before joining 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. 

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.

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.

Gemma Rowland - Veterinary Technician 

Gemma is a farmers daughter she brings a vast amount of experience gained  through helping out with the family farm.

Gemma can be contacted on all enquiries relating to paraprofessional services at the Trethorne Office on 01566 86985

Kath Dawe 

Office Administrator Trethorne

Kerra Stockman

Office Administrator Winnard's Perch