Independent Specialist Referral Hospital in the North East of England

Pennine Referrals are an independently owned referral hospital dedicated to providing high-quality specialist veterinary care for local pets, while championing environmental sustainability.

We predominantly serve the North East of England, covering the counties of North Yorkshire, County Durham and Tyne & Wear. Providing expert personalised care across the region from Newcastle upon Tyne in the north, Ripon in the south, Carlisle in the north west, Scarborough on the east coast and beyond.

We are a team of skilled professionals dedicated to delivering excellence in orthopaedic surgery, soft tissue surgery, neurology and oncology. Our commitment to excellence is backed by the extensive expertise of our surgeons, whose experience includes working at renowned institutions such as Fitzpatrick Referrals – “The Super Vet”, Wear Referrals, and in directorial roles at Swift Referrals.

“Our mission is to create a compassionate healthcare environment where every pet receives the exceptional care they deserve. Through innovative practices and a focus on eco-friendly initiatives, we strive to reduce our environmental impact and contribute to a healthier planet.”

Pennine Referrals is a purpose built, state-of-the-art hospital, equipped with world-class diagnostics. These include the Siemens Magnetom Flow Ace 1.5 Tesla MRI, CT and fluoroscopy; direct digital radiography and an in-house Idexx laboratory; and 4K Arthroscopy and the Flexible Nanoscope and Karl Storz endoscopy.

We have transparent fixed prices that allow you to know the total cost of any recommended treatments. Some of our surgeries are covered with a six month warranty, further details are available within the ‘prices’ section. Our aim is to set a new standard in accessible and sustainable veterinary care. Together, we look forward to building a community where pets thrive, owners are supported, and the environment is valued.

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 Harriet McEwan 
 
 
 
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I have nothing but great things to say A*
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Iain Hill 
 
 
 
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My dog was referred to Pennine after waking unable to walk. He was seen, MRI scanned and operated on the same day. Care from Pennine was exceptional. Communication was clear and honest. Operation was very successful. An early recovery UTI complicated things but again this was dealt with swiftly with my dog re-admitted for hydration and out the next day much happier.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Dion Watts 
 
 
 
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Pennine’s took over Oreo’s care after we had experienced what can only be described as appalling care elsewhere following his bilateral luxating patella surgery. From the very first visit, the entire team was phenomenal. They didn’t have to take on his case, especially as they weren’t involved in his original surgery, but they chose to help us and I will always be incredibly grateful for that.

When we arrived at Pennine’s, we had been given information elsewhere that wasn’t accurate. The team took the time to explain what had actually happened, helped us understand Oreo’s condition properly, and gave us a clear and realistic plan moving forward with his recovery.

Oreo had been left with a significant amount of inflammation following a surgery that, in hindsight, was not necessary. As my assistance dog, he is so much more than a pet, he is my independence, my constant companion, and my sidekick. The thought of losing all the progress we had worked so hard for, having to retire him, and losing the life we had built together was heartbreaking.

Alasdair took on Oreo’s care and was absolutely incredible. He carefully watched him walk, assessed him properly, and identified discomfort in his knees through hands-on examination, something we had previously been told wasn’t there. From that moment, we had a plan. We were given the go-ahead for hydrotherapy and physiotherapy, and although the journey was scary, I felt completely confident that Oreo was in the right hands.
Today we had his final X-rays, and there was a possibility that the outcome could have meant further surgery.

Thankfully, his inflammation has reduced, and he is now able to get back to a more normal life. Pennine’s completely changed the direction of Oreo’s recovery, and I honestly don’t know where we would be without their expertise, honesty, and support.

The whole team has been amazing throughout. Every question was answered, everything was explained clearly, and after such a difficult experience trusting someone else with my boy was incredibly hard, but they gave me that trust back.

On top of the exceptional care, the little things didn’t go unnoticed. The practice was wheelchair accessible (which is sadly not something you find everywhere), beautifully clean, welcoming, and well cared for. The offer of a cup of tea on arrival and the kindness of everyone there made such a difference.

In the nicest possible way, I hope I never have to see Pennine’s again because that would mean Oreo is continuing to do well!

But I will forever be grateful that we found them. They have given my boy the chance to recover and have completely changed the future we were facing.

Thank you to the entire Pennine’s team for everything you have done for Oreo and for us. We will never forget it.

Added a picture of him getting back in to work! I’ve got my independence and sidekick back, and most important I’ve got my happy boy back X
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Sharon Herrington 
 
 
 
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This vet's is absolutely amazing  we thought  we were going to  lose our  baby  teddy  but  the team  got  him  back  on track  now he has made  a full  recovery  thanks  from  the  bottom of  our heartsx
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Suzy B 
 
 
 
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We cannot thank Pennine referrals enough for what they did for our springer spaniel Charlie. The surgery the expertise and the care he received were outstanding and it is all down to them that he is in a very good place now and his recovery has been exceptional thank god we were referred to them!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 peter simpson 
 
 
 
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When our dog autumn was booked for surgery they discovered an underlying condition which could have proved fatal, quick diagnosis prevented a catastrophic bleed, they took great care of her over 2 days and 2 nights keeping us imformed and at ease. Everyone here takes great pride in their work and are extremely caring. Cannot recommend highly enough. 10 out of 10 to all
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Sam Bain 
 
 
 
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Had my cat reffered here and the staff were amazingly helpful, notibly the vet on call, Tig, he was brilliant, answered all of our questions no matter what! Great service all around. I hope I'm not in the position to go here again but I know my animals will be greatly looked after if I am. 10/10
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Ian Donnelly 
 
 
 
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If I could leave more than 5 stars, I genuinely would.

From the very first phone call to book Miah in, right through to collecting her today, every single person we dealt with at Pennine Veterinary Referrals was absolutely outstanding.

The hospital itself is beautiful, set in lovely surroundings, but what really makes the place is the people.

We were greeted by Sophie, who immediately welcomed not just us, but Miah by name. It sounds like such a small thing, but when you're worried sick about your dog, those little details mean absolutely everything. Sophie was incredibly kind, empathetic and reassuring from start to finish. We even managed to leave without paying for Miah's medication (our minds were understandably elsewhere), and when I rang later, it genuinely wasn't an issue at all. It was handled with exactly the same kindness we'd experienced all day.

Alasdair looked after Miah, and I honestly can't speak highly enough of him. He explained everything in incredible detail. Some of it was probably beyond my knowledge, but it always landed on the right side of understandable. Every conversation was completely transparent, covering the risks, benefits and thought process behind every decision. As someone who likes to understand exactly what's going on, even if I don't fully grasp every tiny detail, it made an incredibly stressful day so much easier.

We received two phone calls during the day updating us on Miah's progress. Again, they weren't rushed calls. They were detailed, honest conversations. We were even shown her CT images afterwards and talked through exactly what they were seeing, what they weren't seeing, and why. Even though there are still a few unanswered questions, I left feeling completely included in every decision rather than simply being told the outcome.

The moment that really summed everything up for me was when Alasdair rang to say he had decided to stop. The CT hadn't confirmed his original clinical suspicion, and he wasn't comfortable entering a joint without being certain it was the right thing to do. Instead, he sent the images away for further expert analysis and discussed the possibility of MRI if needed. That decision alone told me everything I needed to know. It would have been easy to keep going. Instead, he chose what was right for Miah. Even though we had already said not to worry about costs because she is insured, he still remained conscious of unnecessary procedures. That level of integrity is incredibly reassuring.

Anyone who has a dog they truly love will understand just how difficult it is handing them over that morning, knowing they're about to undergo a general anaesthetic and surgery. For a few hours, you have absolutely no control, and you're placing an incredible amount of trust in people you've only just met.

Every single person at Pennine Veterinary Referrals earned that trust, and then some.

By the end of the day, they no longer felt like strangers. They felt like people who cared about Miah almost as much as we do.

Most importantly, Miah never felt like "just another patient". She was treated as though she was their own dog, and it showed. Even after everything she'd been through, she wasn't frightened of the people looking after her, which probably says more than anything I can write.

Thank you to Sophie, Alasdair and every single member of the team. I sincerely hope we don't have to come back too often, but if Miah ever needs specialist care again, there isn't anywhere else we'd rather take her.

You all looked after Miah as though she was your own, and as an pawrent, I genuinely don't think you can ask for anything more than that.