AN EDINBURGH veterinary nurse has swapped a consult room for an office after being appointed Practice Manager.
Elaine Paterson has been promoted to the key role at Braid Vets in Edinburgh, where she was previously Head Veterinary Nurse for nearly three years.
Elaine, who has worked in the veterinary profession since starting as a student nurse in Galashiels in 1993, oversees a team of 15 nurses and nine receptionists at Braid Vets’ three sites in Mayfield Road and Leith Walk, Edinburgh, and their Dalkeith surgery.
She joined Braid Vets in 2012 when they took over Esk Valley Vets, where she previously worked, and has quickly risen through the ranks.
After more than 20 years assisting vets in surgery, running nurse clinics and treating poorly pets, she will now focus on the running of Braid Vets – the only practice in Edinburgh with veterinary hospital status.
Elaine said: “It is the team at Braid Vets that makes the practice so special, and it is a real honour to be appointed as practice manager.
“We have a group of lovely people, who are highly skilled and dedicated, so they are a real pleasure to work alongside.
“As much as I will miss the clinical side of nursing, I love the management and organisational side, and I’m looking forward to supporting other people in their role.”
Elaine, who is originally from Newtown St Boswells, grew up surrounded by animals as her dad, Bill Crombie, was yard foreman at the local auction mart, and the family lived on site.
Liz McAlpine, a senior nurse with Braid Vets’ emergency out-of-hours service, has been promoted to head veterinary nurse.
Liz has worked at Braid Vets for 10 years after joining them from Napier University in Edinburgh, where she studied for a BSc Honours Veterinary Nursing degree.
After originally working as a part-time kennel assistant at Braid Vets while still a student, she worked her way up as student veterinary nurse, senior nurse and now head nurse.
She has spent the last 18 months working for their e-vets out-of-hours service, dealing with pets brought in after road accidents, suffering from serious illness and other emergencies.
Dumbarton-born Liz said: “I love being a nurse and I can’t wait to put all my experience to good use in my new role as head veterinary nurse.
“We are a very happy team at Braid Vets. Everyone enjoys coming to work because we get on so well and are given every opportunity to progress in our role.”
Braid Vets is part of VetPartners, which is made up of some of the UK’s most respected and trusted veterinary practices.
For media enquiries, please contact Amanda Little, VetPartners Head of PR and Communications, on 0191 300 1181 or email amanda.little@vetpartners.co.uk