About Us
Founded in 2019, Northern Ireland Veterinary Specialists (NiVS) was the first multidisciplinary, specialist-led small animal referral hospital in the region.
Northern Ireland Veterinary Specialists
Our team of RCVS Specialists, European Diplomats and Advanced Practitioners excel in diagnosing and treating a wide array of conditions, including soft tissue, orthopedic, neurosurgical, internal medicine, and cardiovascular disorders. We are especially proud to have Dr. Julie Hamilton Elliott on our team – she is the only permanent EBVS® and RCVS cardiology specialist in all of Ireland. Alongside our specialists, we also have advanced practitioners and certificate holders to provide comprehensive care. For more information on these qualifications, please refer to our FAQ section.
We accept referrals from veterinary surgeons across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland for specialised diagnosis and treatment. We also welcome pet owners to refer their pets directly, acting as advocates for their pets’ health.
At NiVS, we prioritise strong communication with both referring veterinarians and pet owners. We are committed to providing clear, pragmatic and efficient updates throughout the referral process, ensuring the best treatment options are available for your pets.
Supporting our clinical team is an experienced advanced nursing team and patient care assistants, all led by our head nurse.
Our reception team is always ready to offer a warm welcome, provide information about our processes, and offer support both in-person and virtually.
Our management team is available to oversee the daily operations of the hospital and is always happy to assist with any questions. We value feedback from both referring vets and pet owners and appreciate any suggestions you may have to improve your experience with NiVS.
Our hospital operates 24 hours a day, staffed by a highly skilled clinical team across general practice, referrals, and out-of-hours services.
NiVS is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical facilities, and we invite referring veterinarians to visit the hospital for a tour or to follow a case from referral through to post-operative care.
Our goal is to provide the highest standards of medical and surgical care in a compassionate and caring environment, recognising the deep bond between pet owners and their pets. We treat every animal as if they were our own while under our care and beyond.
Accreditations & Awards
RCVS Veterinary Hospital
This RCVS accreditation highlights that we fulfill all practice standard requirements and are well-equipped with facilities for investigating and treating more complex cases.
Cat Friendly Clinic – Silver
The International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) acknowledges that we meet additional standards to consistently prioritise your cats’ welfare, ensuring vet visits are as stress-free as possible.
Advanced Veterinary Nursing
Our advanced nursing team at NiVS is at the heart of the exceptional veterinary care that we provide to our patients. Our highly trained nurses play a critical role supporting patients and their families as they navigate through diagnosis, treatment and post-operative care for pets.
Our team of nurses work alongside the team of specialists and veterinary surgeons to provide a supreme level of tailored comprehensive and compassionate care to pets.
Advanced nursing gives pets the opportunity to have an optimal recovery, identify subtle changes, monitor pain levels and support each pet’s nutritional, emotional and physical needs.
Through open communication, our nurses work closely with pet parents to give guidance on home care, medication regimes and follow-up care.
How to find us
Located on the edge of Royal Hillsborough, Co. Down, our practice is in Cromlyn House Hospital at 50 Old Coach Road, just 500m from the A1 and 4 miles south of the M1 (J7/8). With ample parking and a tranquil countryside setting, we aim to make patient stays as stress-free as possible.
Our Address:
Northern Ireland Veterinary Specialists, 50 Old Coach Road, Hillsborough, County Down, BT26 6PB
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Pet Owners
Learn about your pet’s journey and find all the information you need to ensure that your pet receives the best possible care at our hospital. You can easily locate our hospital and learn about the various services we offer.
Our Team
Our team of 25 highly skilled specialists covers a broad range of disciplines, including cardiology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery, internal medicine and soft tissue surgery.
Facilities
Explore our state-of-the-art facilities, advanced diagnostics, and expert surgical care designed to provide the best outcomes.
Services we offer
At Northern Ireland Veterinary Specialists, we are proud to offer unrivalled expertise across a range of clinical services. Our compassionate and highly trained team of vets and nurses are here to provide simple and efficient access to the best diagnostic and treatment options available.
Cardiology
Internal Medicine
Neurology & Neurosurgery
Orthopaedics
