Esteban Gonzàlez-Gasch

Head of Soft Tissue Surgery

DVM DiplECVS MRCVS

RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery

Esteban graduated from Autonomous Barcelona University (UAB) in 2002. After spending two years working in France as a GP, he completed his rotating internship at UAB (2005). Then, he spent three years working in Barcelona as a GP focused mainly on soft tissue surgeries, before moving to Paris to complete his ECVS residency. He obtained his ECVS diploma in 2014 and has worked as a Specialist in Soft Tissue and Orthopaedic Surgery in referrals centres in the UK and Spain.

He joined Southfields Veterinary Specialists in 2017 and has an interest in both orthopaedic and soft tissue procedures (especially oncology and minimally invasive surgery).

Hilary Bell

Anaesthesia Registered Veterinary Nurse

RVN

In 2010, Hilary started her veterinary career in a first opinion, small animal practice as a student veterinary nurse and qualified in 2013.

She became deputy head nurse in 2016 before deciding that referral nursing was a career path she was keen to explore after 10 years in general practice. Hilary joined the team at Southfields in July 2021.

She has an interest in all aspects of nursing but is particularly attracted to feline nursing having always owned cats. She has a super senior domestic shorthair cat called Lillie who she has had from a kitten.

Outside of work, Hilary is a member of the Scout Association, plays the alto saxophone in a concert band based in Rayleigh and enjoys movies; she considers herself a cinephile.

Samara Brunning

Oncology Registered Veterinary Nurse

ISFM CERT FN

Samara is a mum to a human and five fur children. One crazy Cocker Spaniel and four cats. She adores everything cat and has a keen interest in feline behaviour. In her spare time, Samara enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and reading.

Samara has been qualified since 2018, and worked in first opinion practice for 12 years before taking the leap into referral. She joined the team at Southfields in 2022.

Amber Cooke

Ophthalmology Registered Veterinary Nurse

RVN, BSc BVS, RCH, ISFM Cert Feline Nursing, RVN

Amber qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2014 and started her career at a busy 24 hour hospital. In September 2018, Amber decided to go travelling for three months before starting her role here at Southfields. Amber has a keen interest in feline nursing and emergency care.

Outside of work, Amber enjoys hiking in Scotland, horse riding and spending time with her family and cats.

Wendy Drain

Ward RVN

ISFMDipFN RVN

Wendy started working at a local first opinion practice in 2002 and qualified, as an RVN, from Writtle college in 2009. In 2016, Wendy completed the ISFM diploma in feline nursing. She has an interest in medical nursing and has also developed a keen interest in palliative and end of life care.

In her spare time, Wendy enjoys caring for her family, walking and spending time in the garden.

Jamie Dwight

Internal Medicine Patient Care Assistant

BSc in Bio Veterinary Science

Jamie loves spending time with animals and has her own little zoo at home including her dog, 4 cats, chickens, rabbits and a guinea pig!
Before joining Southfields, she completed a degree at the Royal Veterinary College in Bio Veterinary Science.
After graduating, she worked on a farm for a year, whilst also volunteering with different farmers to help with lambing and dairy farming. Jamie learned so much from these experiences, and really found a love for the outdoors and farm animals!

Jamie joined the Southfields team as an Internal Medicine Patient Care Assistant, where she hopes to progress onto veterinary nursing qualifications to further her career in the veterinary industry.

Outside of work, she spends a lot of her time reading and visiting different bookstores as she loves books so much! She also loves going for hikes, spending time with family and friends, board games, romcoms, and eating out!

Aldara Eiras-Diaz

RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine
EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine

DVM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS

Aldara graduated from the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) in 2010. After completing a 12 months’ internship in the same university Aldara moved to the UK and she spent two years working in a busy small animal practice in Portsmouth. She subsequently moved to Cambridge to perform a 12-month rotating internship at the Animal Health Trust, followed by an internal medicine residency at Dick White Referrals, before joining Southfields Veterinary Specialists.

Aldara enjoys all fields of internal medicine, particularly feline medicine, gastroenterology, and endocrinology.

In her spare time Aldara enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking or cycling, photography, and a good cup of coffee.

Samuel Fowlie

RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine
EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine

BSc(Hons) BVSc(Hons) MVM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS

Sam graduated from the University of Bristol in 2013 and then spent two years working in a busy, first-opinion practice on the Somerset/Wiltshire border. In 2015 he returned to Bristol to complete a rotating internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery. This was followed by a move north to the University of Glasgow in 2016 where he completed a combined Masters in canine hypoadrenocorticism and residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine. Sam became a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2021.

Sam enjoys all aspects of Internal Medicine, especially gastroenterology, endocrinology and immune-mediated diseases. He enjoys working in a large multi-disciplinary team in order to deliver the best care and outcomes for his patients.

Outside of work Sam plays several instruments and enjoys reading and going to the cinema. Sam was born and grew up in Essex before moving away when he was younger so he is looking forward to getting to know the area again.

Samuel Huckle

Oncology Technician

Before joining Southfields, Sam worked for the NHS for over 10 years as part of their oncology service, learning about chemotherapy care and cancer treatments.

Sam's interests include oncology and his love for animals brought him to Southfields. Sam loves chihuahuas and also has an interest in amphibians. Sam has a pet axolotl, cat and dog.

Katy Ingram

Patient Care Assistant

Level 3 Animal Care Diploma
Veterinary Support Assistant Diploma

Katy moved from Warwickshire to Surrey where she got her first animal nursing assistant job before moving to Rayleigh and starting at Southfields. Katy has a particular interest in Orthopaedics and would like to start animal nursing within the next few years.

In her spare time, she loves to explore new places around the UK, visit food markets, particularly in London, and she is currently trying to learn Italian.

Sharron Ward

Ophthalmology Patient Care Assistant

VCA

Sharron has been a part of Southfields since 2015 and has 20+ years experience working in the veterinary industry.
She began working as a receptionist, but has since progressed to work in a variety of roles that involve being more hands on with animals and has completed diplomas in Animal Welfare, Ethics, & Law and Herpetology.

Outside work, Sharron enjoys wildlife photography and crafts. She lives with Pixie the cat, Shelley the tortoise, and a white budgie named Angel.