About Us
We at Hopwood are a small, independent veterinary practice, priding ourselves on our personal touch. Priority is for the care of sick and injured animals who are registered clients.
Appointment slots are prioritised for sick and injured animals. Please telephone the surgery for an appointment slot on 0121 453 1006 rather than sending e mails.
Currently we have a waiting list for new clients. If you would like to register, please contact the surgery for further details.
As the telephone lines remain busy, we can answer queries via e mail at hopwoodvets@btconnect.com. We aim to answer all queries within opening hours on the same working day and will offer appointments (not necessarily on that day) or relevant guidance, as appropriate. There may be a charge for on-line advice, at the vet's discretion.
We understand that restrictions have been lifted but would kindly ask that clients visiting the practice still maintain the following advice in order to protect staff and clients alike. The practice is still advising staff to isolate if testing positive in order to protect clients, so we need to also safeguard ourselves:
Please use the hand sanitiser provided upon entry to the practice.
We understand that some clients are still cautious or at higher risk and will be happy to wear a mask during consultations if requested. Please advise reception upon arrival.
Social distancing be maintained wherever practicable.
Unless in exceptional circumstances, we would request that only one person attend the appointment with their pet.
Clients may be able to wait in the waiting area, but numbers will be limited, so please come prepared for a possible wait outside or in your car.
Clients showing signs of coronavirus or who are self isolating are not to come to the practice. Please telephone for advice under these circumstances.
Telephone and e mail consultations will remain as an option for certain cases.
Our out of hours service continues to be covered by the Willows, Solihull who have advice on their website regarding their safety protocols.
Meet the Team
Cara Alma
Practice Principal, BVetMed, MRCVS
Cara is the practice principal, having set the practice up twenty years ago. She enjoys consulting and soft tissue surgery. Outside of work she enjoys gardening, craftwork and walking with her dog. She also has a cat and fish.
Liz De Wolf
MRCVS
Liz has been qualified for over twenty years as a veterinary surgeon. She is a keen surgeon as well as consulting vet. Outside of work she enjoys her garden, crafting and her two dogs, horse and donkey.
Marcus Devenney
BVSc MRCVS
Marcus joined the practice last year having qualified from Bristol in 2022. He is a keen consulting vet, and is developing his surgery skills, especially dentistry. He enjoys small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs and has a growing menagerie at home.
Sherran Buckley, RVN
RVN
Sherran works mainly from home and is our point of contact for insurance claims. She occasionally covers holiday and sickness for the other nurses.
Daisy Shephard, RVN
RVN
Daisy is a fully qualified registered veterinary nurse. She has been with the practice since she was 16 and is an integral member of the team. Outside of work she enjoys football with her children who both play for local teams and her two cats.
Sammy Norman
ANA
Sammy is a qualified animal nursing assistant and has just started her training to become a veterinary nurse. Outside of work she enjoys her two mischievous cats.
Caroline Baker
Receptionist, Animal Nurse
Caroline is a receptionist and animal nurse. She has worked in the veterinary industry for over 25 years. Outside work she enjoys walking her new puppy Charlie who is keeping her very busy.
Lucy Flynn
RVN
Lucy is an RVN, registered veterinary nurse with a keen interest in consulting. She owns a naughty dachshund, lively staffie and several exotic cats and enjoys making candles and wax melts in her free time.
Kate Mc Conlough
Receptionist
Kate joined us several years ago as a receptionist, having left her career in teaching. Outside work she enjoys long walks with her husband and two dogs.
Debbie Parker
Receptionist
Debbie is our new receptionist and we welcome her to the team. In her spare time she enjoys concerts, the theatre and walking her dog Xero.
Emily Rudge
RVN
Emily will be joining us in April. We welcome her to the practice.
Appointments
Appointments with the vet are as follows:
Monday - Friday 8.30 am - 11 am / 3.30 pm - 6.20 pm
Tuesday 2pm-3pm / Saturday 8.40 am - 11.00 am
Appointments are at 15 minute intervals. If you require a longer appointment time, please ask when booking the appointment. We try to provide longer appointments for delicate or complicated cases. Additional costs may be incurred at the vet's discretion.
Nurse Clinics
We also run nurse clinics with our qualified staff where you can discuss health issues with the nurse at your convenience.
Nurses can also provide services such as nail clipping and identichip at a reduced price to a vet consult.
Lucy Flynn and Daisy Sheppard will be running specific nurse clinics in the week. Please telephone or ask at reception for details.
Surgery
We have a fully operational theatre, including x ray and dental facilities. We operate Monday to Friday, except for emergencies.
Most procedures are performed the same day, and the animal admitted in the morning will go home that day.
We can arrange for animals to be kept in the evening before the operation or the evening following the operation at no additional cost if this is more convenient for you.
Long Term Care
We hope that we can provide you and your pet with a lifelong care and treatment plan.
Our aim at Hopwood Veterinary Centre is to educate clients into the advantages of preventative health care for their pet, and provide support and advice for the care of your pet throughout its life.
Should you have any advice on ways in which we can improve our service, please do not hesitate to let us know.