The Veterinary Hospital

The Veterinary Hospital is an RCVS Veterinary Hospital (established in 1984) set up as a small‑animal hospital offering 24‑hour care, with on-site diagnostics including a laboratory, digital x‑ray, ultrasound and endoscopy. The website lists a wide range of routine and surgical services (including keyhole/laparoscopic surgery), plus out‑of‑hours support delivered via MiNightVet.

Recent reviews are mixed in a decision-relevant way: several owners describe compassionate support during euthanasia and urgent care at short notice, while others report difficulty getting through to book appointments, delayed callbacks (including blood results taking up to 9 days despite being described as in-house), and frustration when trying to speak to a practice manager.

Concrete specifics mentioned by owners include

•Short-notice and overnight/continuing care for a serious poisoning incident (human medication ingestion).
•Pain relief and anti-inflammatory treatment given for a dog seen late on a weekend evening.
•Follow-up problems reported by some: repeated chasing for results/callbacks and difficulty reaching reception by phone.
•A “Healthy Pet Club” membership mentioned by one owner for a rabbit and dog, including monthly hay/pellets (as described in that review).

Services

Based on the clinic website summary (and supported by some review examples), services and capabilities mentioned include

•24-hour care and emergencies/out-of-hours, with dedicated out-of-hours service provided by MiNightVet
•Consultations and routine preventative care
•Vaccinations
•Parasite control
•Microchipping
•Six-month health checks
•Blood pressure checks
•Surgery, including keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery
•Dentistry
•Diagnostic tests & imaging, with facilities listed as
•In-house laboratory
•Digital x-ray
•Ultrasound
•Endoscopy
•Nurse clinics
•Grooming & nail clipping
•Anal sac expression
•Neutering
•Home visits
•Species listed as treated on the website include dogs, cats, rabbits, small mammals (e.g., guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, ferrets), tortoises, caged birds, and backyard poultry

The clinic is also listed in your structured data as a Veterinary Nurse Training facility.

People

Named staff mentioned in the latest reviews

•Dr Martin (vet) — praised by one owner for empathy, patience and kindness during an end‑of‑life situation for a cat.
•Dr El Gendy (vet) — described by one owner as informative and professional, providing pain relief and anti-inflammatory treatment during a short-notice weekend visit; the same review also thanks Nurse Natalie and Abbie.
•Broader team feedback is split: some reviews describe staff as “knowledgeable” and reassuring during urgent/overnight care, while other reviews focus on difficulty reaching reception/management and not getting promised callbacks.

Reviews

Google rating: 4.4 stars from 360 reviews. “”

•Difficulty accessing the service (recent negative theme): multiple owners report phones ringing unanswered, trouble getting appointments, and needing to chase promised callbacks (including delayed blood results).
•Concerns about treatment follow-through and communication: one owner describes an ear infection treatment that didn’t work and reports being unable to speak to the practice manager after repeated attempts.
•Pricing/value disagreements: some reviewers describe “premium prices” and pressure toward expensive options, while another mentions the bill for emergency/overnight care “wasn't as bad as expected.”
•Strong end-of-life support (recent positive theme): several reviews thank specific vets and staff for compassion and help during euthanasia.
•Urgent care examples: owners mention being seen at very short notice (including late on a weekend) and receiving immediate pain relief/anti-inflammatory medication; another describes successful overnight care after a dog ingested human medication.

Reviews for The Veterinary Hospital

Note: Showing the 5 most recent Google reviews out of 360 we track in total. Recent reviews may not be representative of overall sentiment.

Paul Stephens

a month ago

I'd score a zero to be totally honest.. however the staff are kind and good at their job. When you can see them! And when they actually respond to your issues! We went from having routine blood monitoring results being reported to us the same day. To having them done (when we could finally get slots) and the reception team warning us to call in if we have not heard back in 3 days.. you would then call in because no one called back, to be told they'd call you back, to have to call in again and again as they didn't respond in the time period they set. I think the longest was 9 days for blood that they told us themselves were in house and used to take 1 day.. They just have no staff. You could never get an appointment. We moved vets we have no issues being seen now. And we were surprised that the new place was good deal cheaper. We are much happier now were with an independent vets. It got so stressful just trying to get an appointment or help before we moved.

Maggie Church

2 months ago

Can't seem to ever get through to speak to anyone via phone to even book an appointment, no matter what time or day I call it just rings and rings. Will be registering elsewhere now.

steve nicholls

This place has seriously gone downhill. You’ll pay premium prices only to be seen by poorly trained veterinary nurses who give incorrect advice and even the wrong medication. You’ll only get to see an actual vet if you agree to expensive treatments. If you can’t afford the options they push, they’ll even suggest putting down a healthy animal — one that another practice was able to treat successfully for far less money and within just a few days. When you raise concerns, management refuses to take any responsibility or admit fault. Avoid at all costs. There are far better, more compassionate clinics out there.

millie

my rabbit is on the healthy pet club swell as my dog and I Love what it comes with I now don't have to worry about being able to afford hay and pellets because I can now get either every month they also took great care of my dog who I sadly had to put down in July the staff are so friendly and amazing

a week ago

Antony Cullen

Thank you for helping our Ollie Dog over the Rainbow Bridge ☮

Laura Broxton

We sadly lost our beloved cat last night, but Dr Martin was simply incredible throughout the whole ordeal. His empathy, compassion, patience and kindness made a very heartbreaking and difficult time that little bit easier. Thank you. ❤️

michael k

Have always had a good experience till recently my dog has a ear infection first prescribed steroids go back for a follow up and they worked advised to continue for a few more days then could stop. My dog went to the groomer and the infection came back see another vet they put this gel stuff in my dogs ear told it was slow release and would work better but its done nothing been asking for 3 days to speak to the practice manager told every time they would call me nothing feel like iv been sold snake oil. Tried calling again today no answer feel like im flushing money away and my poor dog in the meantime is left in pain just trying to get a response from the manager not happy

Sharon Biron

4 months ago

We were so very fortunate that the brilliant and amazing Dr. El Gendy was available to treat our dog Dixie when we took.her in - at extremely short notice, late on a Saturday evening. Dr. El Gendy was genuinely caring; kind and informative, and very proressional.Dixie fell in love and was instantly.smitten by.this good doctor's compassionate and attentive manners. He provided her with pain relief and anti inflammatory treatment, enabling her to have her first pain free night and a solid nights' sleep so that she woke happy and waggy tailed the next day. Dr.El Gendy is absolutely outstanding, totally first class, and a truly remarkable man who delivers excellent and reliable treatment along with kindness, compassion and a big heart. This man is an animal lover and his devotion to animals shines through. Dr. El Gendy is highly recommended by us. He has an excellent first class reputation. Pets adore him. And we clients are grateful. Thank.you Dr. El Gendy. Thanks also to Nurse Natalie and Abbie.

Ash Moorcroft

a year ago

Thank you so much to all the staff working last week who saved my boy. Unfortunately he got hold of human medications and was very poorly. Staff were exceptional, took him at short notice from Pakefield Practice for overnight and continuing care. He is now back to being himself and we are eternally grateful. Staff were knowledgeable, friendly and calming, from receptionists, nurses and vets, I felt reassured he was in the best possible place to be looked after. Also dare I say it...the bill wasn't as bad as expected. Thanks again! Would 100% recommend this practice to others.