Dacre House Veterinary Clinic, Tunbridge Wells

You can find out more about our team here. We appreciate the importance of continuity of care, so if you prefer to see a particular vet please let us know when you book your appointment.

We are committed to supporting ongoing education. We train student veterinary nurses and are a host practice for veterinary students too. If you would prefer students not to be involved in the care of your animal, please let us know.

Bradley Curtis

BVSc BSc(Hons) MRCVS, principal

Bradley studied veterinary medicine at the University of Liverpool and also has a degree in pharmacology from Kings College, London. He particularly enjoys orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery. Much of his time at home is spent with Liz and his young sons, Joshua and Joel. His little free time is spent on DIY, making music, walking, or writing software. He is an active member of the Veterinary Christian Fellowship.

Jane Fairham

BVetMed MRCVS

Jane qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 1996 and has worked at the practice since 2001, with brief absences to care for her two girls. She enjoys all aspects of general practice, but has a particular interest in 'small furries', especially rabbits. She currently cares for two guinea pigs and two rescued rabbits of her own. She enjoys walks in the country when time allows, and also likes to relax with a good book.

Claire McCarmick

BSc(Hons) BVM&S MRCVS

Claire qualified from Edinburgh in 2006 and after a brief spell in mixed practice moved to Kent in 2007 to work in small animal practice. She enjoys all aspects of general practice particularly small animal medicine and pain management. In 2011 she completed a course on acupuncture and finds this a useful tool to combine with regular treatments to help animals with osteoarthritis and other painful conditions. Her spare time is taken up looking after her children, Jim the dog and Peter the cat and when time allows she enjoys yoga and swimming.

Sarah Tyler

BVetMed MRCVS

Sarah, graduated in 2016 from the Royal Veterinary College. Originally from London, Sarah moved to the area with her husband Tom. Sarah enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine and is particularly interested in poultry, especially ex-battery hens. She currently has four chickens of her own - Janet, Geraldine, Hilda and Hazel. In her spare time she enjoys walking, camping and working on her allotment.

Hannah Wallace

BVetMed GPCert(SAM) MRCVS

In 2018 we welcomed Hannah to our team of veterinary surgeons. Hannah graduated from the RVC in 2014, worked in Norfolk for a couple of years before taking a year out to travel and work abroad. She spent 9 months in Australia which she loved, though just a bit too far from home! Hannah enjoys all aspects of practice, with a particular interest in medicine. She loves dogs and has a German pointer called Bonnie. Hannah is currently studying for a certificate in Small Animal Medicine. Outside of work you may spot Hannah running/swimming!

Israel Crespin

DVM MRCVS

Israel joined the team on a part-time basis in 2019 before taking up a full-time role in 2020. Israel qualified in Cordoba, Spain in 2002 and worked in the UK as a government vet 15 years. As well as his passion for working with animals, Israel has an interest in 3D animation applied to veterinary science. As a qualified computer programmer in visual effects and animation he has been developing anatomical models which are used for training and prosthetics.

Rebecca Clark

BVetMed MRCVS

Becky graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2009 and, after a short stint in Cornwall and some travelling, has worked in Kent ever since. Becky has a particular interest in small animal medicine. Outside of work her two girls and baby boy keep her busy and most free time is spent renovating the house and managing a blog for a charity raising awareness and advocating for people with Down Syndrome. She currently has two cats.

Gabriella West

BVetMed MRCVS

Gabriella graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2019, and after working in East London for just over 18 months decided to move back to Tunbridge Wells, where she is originally from. Gabriella enjoys all aspects of small animal practice but has a particular interest in feline medicine. She has two rescue cats - a Birman called Jazz and a Ragdoll called Sammy. Outside of work Gabriella enjoys baking, running and hiking.

Alice Lawrence

BVM&S MRCVS

Alice graduated from 2009 in Edinburgh. Having worked in small animal practices in Cheshire and Northern Ireland, Alice has moved back home to Penshurst with her husband, three young children and lurcher, Reg. Alice enjoys all aspects of veterinary but is particularly interested in the benefit of pets to people’s wellbeing – she has just completed a diploma in Psychotherapy. When she has (a small amount!) of spare time Alice loves reading, gardening and eating nice food.

Dr Olivia Franks

MA VetMB MRCVS

Oli graduated from Cambridge vet school in 2017 and has worked in mixed animal and large animal practice since then. After her last job she took a few months off to travel and volunteer with street dogs in Latin America. Oli is very interested in sustainability, especially within veterinary medicine and agriculture. Outside of work she loves singing, reading and travelling.

Sue Stewart

Practice manager

Apart from a very brief period, Sue has worked continuously in the clinic since its inception, firstly as a nurse, then a receptionist and now as the Practice Manager. She has cared for a number of animals over the years, some acquired through work, and now has three Jack Russell terriers and a rescued cat. She has always been a keen horsewoman, with a particular interest in eventing.

Liz Curtis

Accounts, Administration and Advertising

Former Head of Art at a local girls' grammar school, Liz's career took an interesting shift when she took on the running of the business with Bradley in 2016. She has rediscovered her numerical side and now finally understands tax codes! She juggles scanning, filing and admin along with looking after two boys (three if you include Bradley) and Snuggles the hamster. Her favourite part of the job is being on the other side of the camera lens to the lovely team of staff. Liz still teaches art whenever possible as well as developing her own artistic practice.

Judith Shaw

Administrator and receptionist

Judith is a qualified paediatric nurse by profession but having taken a career break she joined the team at Dacre House in 2019 as maternity cover for Liz. She now works with the reception team as well as continuing in her admin role. She shares her home and life with 4 cats of varying ages, a son and a husband. She can frequently be seen with her grand-daughter who she looks after while her daughter and son-in-law are working.

Receptionists

Penny Kerry - Penny has been a regular at the clinic over the years with a whole menagerie of pets and enjoys taking on rescue dogs who would otherwise have no future. She has moved to the other side of the reception desk now, and works one or two evenings a week.

Alison Lucas - Alison, our evening receptionist, has been a regular visitor with her pets at Dacre House for over 20 years. She currently has a Maine Coon cat. She enjoys spending time with her family and her interests include going on cruises and Art Deco.

Katie Verrell - Katie has worked as a receptionist in other local vets and joined Dacre House in September, 2020. She really enjoys the team approach to helping the customers and their animals. In her spare time, she volunteers for the Riding for the Disabled and she also rides herself. She often helps friends and family with dog sitting and when she is not doing this, she likes to spend time at home with her three grown-up children.

Tracey Hoskin - Tracey Hoskin joined the team part-time in October 2020 and is thoroughly enjoying working with us and getting to know the local pet community. When not at Dacre House, Tracey runs her own baby and toddler music business, Tracey Tunes. Having grown up with dogs Tracey has a soft spot for our canine customers and can sometimes be spotted on the Ridgewaye playing fields entertaining children with her puppet dog, Milo.

Paige Brine - Paige is a natural receptionist and joins us having worked previously at Well House vets. A real people person, she thoroughly enjoys the busy day-to-day role. She has always owned cats growing up but hopes to have a dog of her own one day.

Nursing staff

Emma Catt RVN - Emma has been with us since April 2005 and is instrumental in ensuring that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. She is a Registered Veterinary Nurse, having completed her studies at Hadlow College, in charge of the nursing team and responsible for our nursing clinics. Emma is the proud owner of Pebbles and BamBam, her two tortoises, and is also 'Emuma' to Mr Teddy Edwardson, a rescued collie cross. Emma is also mum to one little boy who keeps her busy when not at work!

Helen Goodsell - Helen has been working at Dacre House for over 25 years now, so has a wealth of experience. She currently works part-time, in between looking after her two sons, one cat, two rabbits, hamster and a sheep. She has little spare time, but enjoys her garden and socialising with friends. She holds an Animal Nursing Assistant Level 2 diploma.

Heather Harwood RVN - Heather qualified with us as a RVN at the beginning of 2021 having been with us for 10 years. She also has a Foundation Degree in Applied Animal Behavioural Science and Welfare, an NVQ in Animal Care and a Diploma in Animal Management. Her hobbies include paper craft, cross stitch, reading and looking after her two Labradors, Bracken and Seeka.

Emily Carter - Emily joined us in 2016 after two years at college where she worked with a variety of more unusual animals such as raccoon dogs and otters! She holds an Animal Nursing Assistant Level 2 Diploma and is currently training on the Veterinary Nurse course. She has one hamster and two Guinea Pigs (she has had around 20 Guinea Pigs as pets over the years!).

Sìne Owen - Sìne joined us in 2018 to provide maternity cover but quickly learned the ropes and became a permanent staff member, going on to complete her Animal Nursing Assistant Level 2 Diploma. Prior to working with us Sìne volunteered at Folly Wildlife Rescue. At home she has two degus and a gerbil and loves to look after her parents' husky.

Lydia Clifford-Baynes - Lydia joined us in 2020 having studied at Plumpton College. When not at work, Lydia is busy with her family's two dogs, ducks, chickens and gerbils as well as showing cows over the summer months. Her particular passion in veterinary nursing is for anaesthesia and surgery. As a hobby Lydia is also a keen photographer.

Elinore Groves - Ellie joined us in August having completed two years' of animal management training at Hadlow College. She is confident with all small animal species having her own menagerie at home: 3 dogs, 1 cat, 8 rabbits and a coup of chickens!!
Ellie is really enjoying expanding her skills in nursing at Dacre House. In her spare time she enjoys baking and spending time with friends and family.

Abigail Jenner - Abi joined us at the end of 2023 from the Big Cat Sanctuary. A lover of cats (and big dogs!), she is looking forward to learning more about veterinary nursing. At home she has a cat and a chameleon.