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Get care
Northwest Referrals was founded in 1981 on a straightforward belief: that advanced veterinary care should be accessible, not just to pets in major cities, but to every animal. Based in Wigan, we built the practice from the ground up, investing in the people, the equipment, and the relationships that make truly great referral medicine possible.
From our first cases, we focused on earning the trust of the referring practices around us. That meant being responsive, being honest about outcomes, and always sending clear clinical updates back to the first-opinion vet. That commitment hasn't changed. Today we partner with practices across the region who know their most complex cases are in safe hands.
We're proud to be RCVS Outstanding accredited, a recognition that reflects not just our clinical standards, but the culture we've built. A culture where every patient matters, every team member is valued, and every referring practice is treated as a long-term partner.
RCVS Outstanding is the highest level of accreditation awarded by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. It recognises practices that demonstrate exceptional standards in clinical care, client service, team development, and facilities. Only a small percentage of veterinary practices in the UK hold this accreditation and Northwest Referrals is one of them.
In practice, it means every aspect of your pet’s care has been independently assessed: the facilities they’re treated in, the protocols followed, the qualifications of the team, and the quality of communication with you as a client. It is not a marketing badge, it is a rigorous inspection process that we submit to and pass.
To provide referring practices and pet owners with best-in-class advanced care at a price they know in advance.
Our Wigan facility was designed around the cases we see, purpose-built spaces for advanced imaging, dedicated surgical theatres, and comfortable recovery areas for patients staying with us. The team you see in the photos are the team you'll meet. What you see is what we are: focused, skilled, and genuinely invested in every animal that comes through our doors.
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We've invested heavily in diagnostic and surgical equipment because we believe the right tools make the difference between a good outcome and a great one. Our facility gives our clinical team everything they need to diagnose accurately and treat effectively.
Our 128-slice CT scanner delivers exceptional detail across musculoskeletal, neurological, oncological, and soft tissue investigations. High resolution cross-sectional imaging means faster, more accurate diagnoses — and better outcomes for your patients. Most CT appointments are completed within the day.
Our 1.5 Tesla MRI system provides the clearest possible soft tissue imaging for neurological and musculoskeletal cases. Particularly valuable for spinal and intracranial investigations, it allows our neurology team to make confident diagnoses and treatment plans without guesswork.
Our digital radiography suite provides instant, high-resolution X-ray imaging across all body systems. Integrated directly with our clinical records, images are available immediately for review by our specialists and can be shared electronically with referring practices.
Our theatres are equipped for the full range of soft tissue, orthopaedic, and neurological procedures we undertake. Arthroscopy, endoscopy, and advanced orthopaedic fixation equipment sit alongside our anaesthesia and monitoring systems — giving our surgical team the setup they need to operate with precision and confidence.
Every decision we make is guided by our commitment to clinical excellence, accountability, respect, and evidence-based practice.
We never compromise on the quality of care given to our patients. Every animal that comes through our door is treated with the same attention and dedication, from the initial consultation to the moment they go home. We care about outcomes and about the families waiting for news.
We believe advanced care should be within reach. That means transparent, fixed pricing from the start, no hidden costs, no surprises at the end. We also offer 0% interest-free payment plans and a nationwide ambulance service, so geography and finances are never a barrier to getting your pet the care they need.
We guarantee to see every referred patient within 24 hours. For emergencies, we aim for same-day appointments. Referring vets receive reports within 24–48 hours of the scan, and our dedicated WhatsApp service means you can reach our team any time, no hold music, no waiting.
Northwest Referrals has been operating for almost 50 years. Our team of advanced practitioners holds advanced qualifications in surgery, imaging, neurology and orthopaedics with over 30 years of combined experience. We were among the first practices in the country to introduce fixed pricing for advanced imaging, back in 2008.
Northwest Referrals has always been more than a referral practice. We're part of the veterinary community in the Northwest and we take that seriously. We run regular CPD events for referring practices, host clinical discussion evenings, and support veterinary students and new graduates through placements and mentoring.
We also work with local animal welfare organisations and support rehoming charities where we can, because we believe that advanced veterinary care should reach the animals that need it most.
If you're a referring practice interested in our CPD programme, or an organisation looking to explore a partnership, we'd love to hear from you.
Whether you're a veterinary professional seeking advanced support or a pet owner looking for advanced care, we have a clear pathway for you.
Fast online referral, 24-hour response, detailed reports, and a dedicated WhatsApp line for case queries. Your client is in specialist hands from day one.
Submit a referral →
You can come directly to us, no GP-style referral required. Get a fixed-price consultation with a named advanced practitioner, with full support throughout your pet’s care.
Book a consultation →
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