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Fitzpatrick hospital rebrands following management buyout
AURA Veterinary will continue to focus on animal oncology, soft tissue surgery, international radiology and internal medicine.
The Oncology and Soft Tissue Hospital is now AURA Veterinary. 

Fitzpatrick Referrals Oncology and Soft Tissue Hospital in Guildford, has been rebranded as AURA Veterinary following the completion of a management buyout. 

The buyout has been led by clinical director Nick Bacon and senior clinician Dr Laurent Findji - who have led the team since the hospital's launch in 2014 - together with Dr Jonathan Bray and Dr Gerard McLauchlan.

Founder Professor Noel Fitzpatrick will continue to lead Fitzpatrick Referrals Orthopaedics and Neurology and Fitzpatrick Referrals Institute for the Restoration of Skeletal Tissue in Eashing, Surrey. 

Professor Noel Fitzpatrick said: “I am proud of everything and everyone who has been part of the journey over the last seven years. It is a world-class hospital with an unrivalled team and the foundation we have built together is incredible. 

“The time is now right for the team to embark on the next part of their journey - allowing me to also go forward and focus my passion, energy and time at Fitzpatrick Referrals Orthopaedics and Neurology and lead that team into its exciting new phase. I know Nick and Laurent and all the team will continue to drive forward the vision we started out with, to provide hope and solutions to animals and their families.” 

In a statement, AURA Veterinary said that it will continue to take the hospital forward with the financial backing of a small team of external investors. It added that it will continue to focus on animal oncology, soft tissue surgery, international radiology and internal medicine.

Under the new management team, AURA Veterinary also has plans to invest in its team, equipment, scientific innovation and research, the statement read. 

Professor Nick Bacon said: “It was a wonderful opportunity to be involved with a hospital like this from the very beginning, and it’s exciting to be part of its new chapter. Laurent and I are hugely grateful to Noel for his vision in creating the hospital, which is unparalleled in the level of care, skill and innovation our team can provide for our patients. We look forward to the growth and success of AURA Veterinary.”

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.