The Partners

Charles Gruchy MA, VetMB MRCVS, GPCertEqP

Charlie qualified in 1976, and returned to his native island to join his father at David Place Veterinary Hospital in 1979, becoming a Partner in 1982.

He is a highly accomplished and respected horse vet and his enthusiasm for equine  veterinary work inspired him to study for and gain an extra qualification in equine medicine. He also enjoys small animal work, with a particular interest in eye problems.

In 2008, he was elected by his peers to sit on the council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (the profession's governing authority). This requires him to regularly attend sessions in London at the College headquarters, bringing to the table, common sense, a wealth of practical experience and love and enthusiasm for the job, influencing the direction of the UK veterinary profession.

Locally, he has been Honorary Veterinary Surgeon for the Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Jersey Cat Club and the Jersey Race Club, for whom he is presently Chairman.  Somehow he also manages to find time for his two great passions, golf and sailing!

Hugh Forshaw BVM&S, MRCVS

Hugh also qualified in 1976 and moved to Jersey shortly afterwards, becoming a Partner in 1985.

His interests lie mainly in small animal work, in particular, heart and lung disease, exotic animals , small mammals (rabbits , guinea pigs etc) and wildlife.

Locally, he has contributed immensely to environmental and wildlife issues, including terms as Chairman of Jersey's Environment Forum, serving on the advisory group on environmental strategy, Chairman of the zoology section of the Societe Jersiaise, Member of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue and serving as Honorary Vet to numerous local animal organisations, including the Jersey Cat Club, Jersey Amphibian and Reptile Group and the Jersey Hedgehog Preservation Society.

He retains close links with his native Scotland, but also enjoys spending time in France. Recently he achieved the outstanding feat of ascending Mount Kiliminjaro, raising money for the Sundeep Watts Foundation Fund (which raises money to build schools and improve childrens' education in Africa)

John Hamilton BVSc MRCVS

John qualified in 1986 and joined the Practice two years later, becoming a Partner in 1992.

He is a very experienced horse vet, with a particular interest in equine endoscopy and general anaesthesia. He is also very proficient in small animal work with a particular interest in snakes and the treatment of cancer in cats and dogs.

John has been a great supporter and follower of the Jersey Race Club, for whom he has acted as their veterinary surgeon on Race Day Metings on countless occasions. John enjoys many outdoor pursuits, and is particularly keen on clay pigeon shooting. His passion for winter sports led him to play an integral role in establishing Jersey's bobsleigh team, which he now manages.

John Mather BVetMed, MRCVS

John qualified in 1979 and moved to Jersey in 1983, becoming a Partner in 1995. He is a very experienced farm animal and small animal vet, conducting most of his small animal consultations from our Leodis branch surgery. John's great interest is complimentary medicine , in particular acupuncture. He has studied this ancient Chinese treatment and specifically its use in animals for many years, consolidating his learning with an intensive series of courses held by the Association for British Veterinary Acupuncturists, of which he is a member. Whilst John mainly uses acupuncture on dogs and cats, there are also many applications for its use in horses.

Peter Haworth BVetMed CertSAS MRCVS

Peter qualified in 1998, and immediately joined the Practice, where he has worked ever since. His great interest is small animal surgery, in particular cruciate ligament disease , repairing complex bone fractures and major abdominal surgery.To his great credit and the benefit of the Practice, its clients and their pets, he gained a post graduate qualification, called a certificate in small animal surgery. The simplicity of the name belies the fact that it takes a minimum of two years of intensive study and gruelling examinations. Very few vets achieve this qualification and it truly reflects an outstanding level expertise in the subject.

Peter's love of his Springer Spaniels is well known amongst the Practice's clients, but he also has several cats and a parrot. One of his main interests locally has been rugby and he has played for United Banks every season since arriving in Jersey, captaining the side for two successive seasons.

Ian Cox BVSc BSc GPCertSAM CertSAM MRCVS

Ian qualified in 1999 and arrived at New Era in 2001. His knowledge and memory of veterinary facts is encyclopaedic and legendary! It was inevitable but also not without incredible hard work and application, that Ian should achieve the distinction of becoming a certificate holder in medicine, which as described above, is an extraordinary achievement. Internal medicine is Ian's main veterinary interest, and nothing makes him happier than resolving a complex medical disorder restoring an animal back to a good quality of life. He also has a particular interest in soft tissue surgery, cancer treatment in cats and dogs, and has ensured the Practice stays right up to date with this rapidly developing area in veterinary medicine. He too has a great interest in exotic animals and small mammals and along with Hugh Forshaw's skills in this field, has helped the Practice acquire a well deserved reputation for looking after the needs of our more unusual pets!

Ian is a very keen runner and is a member of the local Hash Harriers. When weather permits (and sometimes when it doesn't!) he can often be found exploring the island's coastline in a kayak.

The Vets

Ben Linnell BVetMed MRCVS

Ben qualified in 1987 and joined the Practice in 1992, becoming a Partner in 1995. Over the years his veterinary interests have been wide ranging but focused mainly on the surgical and medical needs of cats and dogs. They include soft tissue surgery, dental problems and eye surgery. Ben resigned from the Partnership in 2008 for personal reasons, but continues to enjoy working for the Practice. He is a keen amateur photographer.

Lindsay Linnell BVetMed MRCVS

Lindsay qualified in 1988, and started working at the Practice in 2003. Her main interest is in small animal medicine and although the demands of looking after two boys (she would say three!) has meant that she works part time,  her knowledge and dedication to her clients has resulted in a large, loyal following. She enjoys many outdoor pursuits ,especially kayaking, and is an avid reader.

Amanda Smith BVSc MRCVS

Amanda qualified in 1999 and joined New Era in 2004, having previously worked in New Zealand. She made an immediate impact with her farm animal skills and knowledge. She is also a very proficient small animal vet and manages our practice at Archway. Amanda played rugby at the highest level in New Zealand, and brought her skills to bear locally, establishing and captaining the United Banks Ladies team, the first ladies rugby team on the island. She is also a keen cricketer, representing Liliies Ladies Cricket Club, locally.

Tessa Walker BVetMed MRCVS

Tessa joined the Practice in 2003, developing a very loyal following at Archway, from where she works part time. The rest of her time is fully occupied by family life and taking care of her children.

Oliver Johnson BVSc MRCVS

Oliver qualified in 1988 and joined New Era in 2005. He was the Practice's first dedicated emergency vet, a role he continues today. Oliver has extensive veterinary experience of all species, including horses and farm animals, and needless to say his main interest is emergency treatment. He has a young family which inevitably occupies most of his free time, but when time permits enjoys water sports and is a very proficient windsurfer.

Andy Barcis BSc(Hons) BVSc MRCVS

Andy qualified in 2005. He moved to Jersey and joined the Practice in 2006. His main interests lie in small animal medicine and surgery and he has played an integral role in re-establishing surgical and dental procedures being performed at Leodis, our St Brelade branch surgery. Andy enjoys many outdoor pursuits and has established himself as a regular player for the local rugby club, United Banks.

Ruth Meikle BVetMed MRCVS

Ruth qualified in 2008 and joined the Practice earlier this year. She is already known to many of our clients, being local.
Her main interests lie in small animal medicine and surgery, though she had an interesting start to her veterinary career, working in mixed practice in the Pyrenees! Ruth enjoys baking wonderful cakes, which we enjoy confirming that they are indeed wonderful! She is also a keen skier and runner.

Suzy and Nick Thomas MRCVS

We are delighted to welcome back Suzy and husband Nick to the Practice in September 2010.  Suzy was educated on island and registrated in 2004.  Gaining experience in the UK she now joins the team as a instrumental member.  Suzy admits to not being much of a baker however everyone still enjoys her efforts.  Nick qualified in 1998 and is no stranger to the Practice.  Having studied with Peter Haworth, Nick worked as a locum when he met Suzy while on the Practice sports day.  Since joining, Nick has introduced the Practice to 'Movember' encouraging 6 of us to grow our moustaches and raise over £1000.  A big thank you to all our clients who supported us.

There are two new additions to the Veterinary team  - expanding the range of expertise.