THE state-of-the-art redevelopment of Willows Veterinary Hospital in Hartford is complete, with new photos showing the transformation.

A larger waiting room, two new operating theatres, a new prep area, an additional digital X-ray site and new practice room dedicated to ultrasound, endoscopy and chemotherapy treatments are among the improvements, as well as a purpose-built pharmacy.

The 14-month project has allowed the operation to remain open throughout, and is expected to help create seven new jobs in the coming months.

Clinical director Bruce Waddell said: “We have worked very closely with [Middlewich-based] Hough Construction to minimise the disruption while the work took place and we are delighted with the finished results.

“The hospital was fitted out to a high standard some years ago and as the flagship practice for the group, it is important for us to be continually reinvesting to ensure we maintain the high level of care we are known for.

“This latest transformation has created an extremely modern, light and airy hospital which gives us the best possible facilities and equipment to look after our clients’ much-loved pets.

“One of the areas we are particularly proud of are the new accommodation areas for animals which are staying with us. We have some fantastic cat condos now which have shelves and little hidey holes which have been designed with a cat’s comfort in mind. It means they have places to go and tuck themselves away which helps them to feel more at home and less stressed when they have a stay with us.

“We also have some larger kennels for our canine guests so that larger dogs who we see will have more space to turn around and settle down so a lot of the work has been about improving facilities for the comfort of the animals we are looking after.

“What’s also positive is that by expanding in this way, we will also be creating new jobs. We will be looking to recruit as many as seven new people – a new vet, new veterinary nurses and support team – and it could be as much as 10 in the coming months as we begin to absorb more and more cases.”

Other improvements include modern LED lighting systems and the addition of TV screens to consultant rooms so results such as X-rays can be shown directly to the pet owners on a big screen.

See more photos at northwichguardian.co.uk