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Bridge Referrals boosts emergency and MRI care
More out-of-hours help, improved access to MRI scans and extra intensive care and rehabilitation support for poorly pets are on the way in the North East, as a referral vets expands its specialist centre in South Tyneside.
Read time: 3 mins Added: 03/07/26
Expanding emergency support
Bridge Referrals Limited, based at Boldon Business Park, is moving into a second unit next door to its current site. For pet owners, the change means more appointments, more space for complex cases, and more specialist facilities making a crucial difference when a loved pet needs urgent care.
A key part of the plans is the launch of a new out-of-hours service via a separate company called Emergency Vet Team. It will give local veterinary practices access to trusted emergency cover overnight and at weekends, helping ensure pets can be supported when regular surgeries are closed.
Emma Mace Director, Bridge ReferralsWe’re really pleased to be launching an out-of-hours service to support local vet practices, because it helps make sure pets can get the right care overnight and at weekends.
Bringing MRI in-house
Another major upgrade is a new MRI, which will see Bridge Referrals bring scanning fully in-house. Currently, the centre shares access to a travelling MRI service one day a week, but a permanent on-site MRI suite will allow scans to be offered more widely. This will support quicker diagnosis and treatment planning for complex conditions, including neurology.
Emma Mace Director, Bridge ReferralsExpanding into the unit next door means we can see more pets and bring MRI fully in-house so scans are available more widely than they are today.
Enhanced facilities for complex care
The expansion will also add a dedicated Intensive Care Unit (ICU), additional treatment rooms and a rehabilitation department with a hydrotherapy treadmill. These facilities will support pets recovering after surgery or injury, helping them regain strength and mobility.
Emma Mace Director, Bridge ReferralsWhen a pet is unwell, owners want answers quickly and they want to know help is there when they need it. This expansion allows us to add dedicated intensive care and rehabilitation space, making a real difference for families and their pets.
Growing demand and reach
Bridge Referrals provides advanced referral treatment for small animals and works with veterinary practices across the North East. As the service has grown, it has also started receiving referrals from further afield, including the Scottish Borders, North Yorkshire and Cumbria, and now supports around 132 referring practices.
Backing growth with funding
The project is being backed by Lloyds through a £2 million business loan to finance the fit-out of the second unit, alongside £540,000 of Asset Finance to purchase the MRI scanner. The fit-out is expected to complete in October 2026.
Emma Mace Director, Bridge ReferralsLloyds understood our plans from the start and the financing lets us invest in the facilities, equipment and people that will make a real difference.
Stuart Harper Relationship Director, LloydsFor pet owners, it’s reassuring to know specialist support is available quickly, especially out of hours. Bridge Referrals’ expansion will mean more appointment availability, improved access to MRI diagnostics and dedicated intensive care and rehabilitation facilities, helping more pets across the region get the treatment they need.
Creating jobs and supporting the local community
The larger site will also mean more people caring for pets locally. Since opening in October 2022, Bridge Referrals has grown from 22 colleagues to more than 80. Over the next two years, it plans to grow to around 130 roles, creating around 50 new jobs across veterinary surgeons, nurses and support staff.
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