Our team of surgeons and nurses and administrative staff are of the highest calibre. Our success is built on their dedication and hard work. Your pet is in safe hands!
We ensure that our veterinary surgeons and nurses are right up to date by a policy of continuous training and education. Our veterinary surgeons and nurses will assist you in planning healthcare programmes to keep your pet happy and in the best of health. We endeavour to make sure that for whatever the reason may be, you and your pet's visit to our hospital will be as trauma free and as pleasant as possible.
Austen is the principal and owner of the Palmerston Veterinary Group.
Originally from a small village outside Dundee, Austen qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 1980 from Glasgow University. He had wanted to be veterinary surgeon from the age of four when a vet did a pregnancy diagnosis on one of his fathers cows. Austen has worked at the Palmerston Veterinary Group since 1982, with a sabbatical in 1985/86 when he travelled extensively in Australia.
Austen spends 1-2 days a week doing clinical work but is mostly involved with the management and marketing of the practice. Austen is married to Deborah and has a teenage child India, who has three cats Blackie, Ivy and Spartacus. Austen’s interests include amateur dramatics but he is currently “resting”. Austen is also an avid Arsenal Football Club supporter and he has season tickets at Arsenal and tries to get along to as many games as he can.
Austen also enjoys ski-ing, fine wines and restaurants.
Alistair Duncan is married to Lorraine and originally from Preston.
He qualified as a veterinary surgeon from the University of Liverpool in July 1982. Prior to joining the Palmerston Veterinary Group in December 1985 he worked in Cheshire. When Alistair is not working he can be found training in the gym. Alistair’s other interests include wine tasting, gardening and going to the cinema. Alistair has two cats, Margaux and Stanley.
Chris comes from a farm in Northumberland where his father raises sheep and beef cattle.
Chris studied at Edinburgh University where he qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 2001 gaining many prizes and distinctions throughout his 5 years at Edinburgh and he was awarded the William Dick Prize for 2000/2001 “To the most distinguished BVM&S graduate of the year”. Chris worked in a practice in Leicestershire prior to joining the Palmerston Veterinary Group in March 2003 where he gained experience in both domestic and farm animals.
Chris studied and successfully completed a veterinary surgery certificate between September 2003 and September 2005 which has enhanced and upgraded his surgical skills.
Neil originally comes from South Africa. He was brought up and went to school in Natal. Neil studied at the Faculty of Veterinary Science (Ondersstepoort), University of Pretoria between 1982 and 1987. Qualifying as a veterinary surgeon in June 1987.
Neil worked at various practices in Johannesburg South Africa between 1987 and 1994 gaining extensive experience in all aspects of veterinary practice. In 1994 Neil moved to the United Kingdom where he did numerous locums until 1995 when he became the Senior Veterinary Surgeon at a practice in East London.
Neil underwent extensive training in orthopaedic surgical procedures between 1996 and 2001 mainly in the USA including AO/ASIF training at Ohio State University and Arthroscopy training at Colorado State University. Neil was licensed and trained by the late Dr. Barclay Slocum in TPLO (Tibial plateau Levelling Osteotomy) and TPO (Triple Pelvic Osteotomy) techniques, which were pioneered by Neil and Tom Yarrow MRCVS in East London.
Neil joined The Palmerston Veterinary Group in October 2005 and works on a daily basis at our branch the Walthamstow Veterinary Surgery but carries out specialist orthopaedic surgery at The Palmerston Veterinary Hospital particularly TPLO procedures repairing knee injuries. Neil’s interests when he is not working include travel, classical literature and music, antiques and wine. Neil also enjoys ski-ing.
Scott originally comes from West London but moved from Edinburgh to join The Palmerston Veterinary Group in February 2006.
Scott studied at Imperial College Wye between 1990 and 1993 and gained a BSc (Hons) in Animal Sciences. He then spent four years between 1993 and 1997 at the University of Glasgow and qualified as a veterinary surgeon in July 1997.
Scott has worked in various veterinary practices all over the country including Dundee, Cheshire and Edinburgh gaining extensive experience in all aspects of veterinary medicine and surgery. Between December 2002 and March 2003 Scott worked in a practice in Cairns Queensland, Australia. Scott worked in Musselburgh near Edinburgh before joining the Palmerston Veterinary Group. He is based at the Palmerston Veterinary Hospital but Scott worked at the Walthamstow Veterinary Surgery for two months between August and September 2005.
Scotts interests are ski-ing, hill walking, motoring and travel.
The Palmerston Veterinary Group is staffed by twelve veterinary nurses who assist the veterinary surgeons with the treatment and care of your pets whilst they are in the hospital or surgery. The nurses provide care for the animals in the wards but not just medical attention; more important is the love and cuddles that the animals receive when they are with us so that when they are away from home we can minimise the trauma as far as possible.
We are always delighted to have owners visiting their pets whilst they are in the hospital. The nurses are also responsible for monitoring the animals whilst they are anaesthetised. The nurses also perform routine blood tests and take many of the x-rays. We can truly say that at the Palmerston Veterinary Group we have a very loyal and happy staff who treat the animals under their care as if they were their own
The Palmerston Veterinary Group is staffed by one part time and two full time receptionists. These people are the first contacts that you will make when you attend the hospital. Our receptionists will try to make your visit as pleasant and as trauma free as possible; they are there to help you and they will check your animal's details. We have free tea, coffee and chocolate available in reception should you wish.
Kathryn son Toby who has a first class honours degree from New College, Oxford. After spending a year teaching English in Paris he
is now a script writer in the film industry. Kathryn's interests are traveling, reading and cookery. She taught cookery at Loughton
College for two years and loves to try new recipes.
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