Southfields Veterinary Specialists will be relocating to its new purpose-built, 42,000 sq ft Essex complex in May, the culmination of an ambitious project which will see the Linnaeus-owned hospital offer some of the most cutting-edge treatments in Europe.

The new Basildon referral centre, which is just 10 minutes from Southfields’ current base, will offer 24/7 facilities, as well as the creation of a range of jobs as it doubles the size of its team, with recruitment planned both ahead of the launch and following its grand opening.

The multidisciplinary referral centre will continue to boast 15 specialist-led services, including Southfields’ renowned oncology and radiotherapy service led by internationally-renowned specialists Sarah Mason and James Elliott.

The new centre has been designed to allow maximum light into the building, while the Southfields team has been working closely with an animal behaviourist to ensure the facilities and building are as comfortable and accessible as possible for patients, as well as clients and team members.

Hospital director Daniel Hogan said the May opening would represent a huge moment for Southfields and ensure the continuation of the industry-leading treatments it offers patients.

He said: “The new hospital is a real statement of intent, a clear signal we are committed to delivering a level of excellence in treatment and care which few in the industry can match.

“We’re all incredibly excited at the prospect of opening our doors in a matter of just months and the team are busy preparing for the move to ensure a seamless transition to these amazing new facilities.

“The new hospital will provide the region with one of the largest and best-equipped veterinary centres in not only the UK but also throughout Europe, with an extensive range of expertise in a wide variety of disciplines all under one roof.

“The facilities include a cutting-edge imaging suite, comprehensive treatment facilities and a new linear accelerator to assist our illustrious oncology team.

“There will be seven operating theatres, 14 consultation rooms, recovery suites, lecture halls, a dedicated ICU department and there are plans for a future hydrotherapy suite.”

Bart Johnson, chief executive of Linnaeus, said the investment in Southfields’ new site showed the group’s commitment to excellence for its brands.

He said: “This move is a reflection of the ambition of Southfields, Linnaeus and Mars to continue providing the best veterinary care in the UK and we are all eagerly anticipating the opening of this impressive new hospital in May.

“It’s a significant investment to provide state-of-the-art facilities and technology, while we will also be attracting new talent to Southfields’ expert team.

“We’re incredibly excited to continue to expand the unique and innovative offerings in patient care at Southfields.”

Southfields is already one of only a few specialist centres in the country to have a linear accelerator and its new site will offer advanced treatments in radiation, working closely with colleagues across the globe.

The new referral centre will not only become a hub of cutting-edge veterinary treatment but also lead the industry in terms of staff wellbeing and sustainability.

Daniel said: “The increased size of the hospital will enable us to provide a dedicated staff wellbeing area and offer a range of activities which will benefit our team in both body and mind.

“Along with exercise and relaxation classes, such as yoga and boxercise, we will have an education centre which will be able to offer some really exciting qualifications and courses for the wider profession.

“We’ll also be striving to care for both our community by working with Investors in the Environment (iiE) to introduce a bold green initiative to substantially reduce our environmental impact and enhance our sustainability.

“This year promises to be an incredibly exciting and fulfilling one for everyone involved with Southfields.”

Click here to read more about the facilities that will be available at our new site.