James qualified from Bristol Vet School in 2008, joined Millcroft shortly afterwards and has worked here ever since. He became a director in 2017 and predominantly works on the large animal side of the practice, with particular interest in fertility and mastitis. Outside of work his two young children take up much of his time but he gets out into the fells when he can.
Meet the Team - Directors
James Frayne
BVSc MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Rod Welford
BVM&S MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
After graduating from the Royal Dick Veterinary College in 1990, Rod’s vocation started in Cumbria at a three-man village practice, which he seen grow into our current Millcroft team. He remains passionate about veterinary care, whether it be empathy with a cherished pet or the economics of herd or flock health. Out of work, you’ll find him running on, or paragliding over, the local fells.
Andrew Robinson
BSc(Hons) BVMS MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Andrew treats all creatures great and small covering the farm, equine and small animal departments as well as the challenges of the local wildlife park. When not at work he chauffeurs his three children around, fixes the things they break and volunteers with the local food bank.
Laura Sloan
BVetMed MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Laura joined the team in 2014, having graduated from the Royal Veterinary College London in 2010. She worked for a spell in north Yorkshire and Winchester before settling in Cumbria. She is a mixed vet and enjoys working with all creatures big and small – including her own, as she lives on a smallholding with her own livestock. She has her hands full with five rescue cats: Bob, Ralph, Jasper, Lucy and Monty and dog Champ . In her spare time she’s often busy on the farm and in the garden, but she does enjoy a game of tennis when she gets the chance!
Matt Linnett
BVM&S MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Matt graduated from The Royal Dick School in Edinburgh in 2013 and spent time in New Zealand and Yorkshire before joining Millcroft in 2016, becoming a director in 2021. He loves mixed practice and while it's quicker to list what he's not interested in, on the farm side he has a particular interest in youngstock, calf pneumonia, pelvimetry and genomics, while on the small animal side, he enjoys working with diabetic patients and meeting lots of new people and pets in the consulting room. Outside of work he's a keen rock climber and fell runner training for a Bob Graham.
Louise Donoghue
DrMedVet MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Louise Graduated from Szent Istvan University, Budapest in 2013 and then moved from her native Ireland, to the UK, joining the Millcroft team in 2016. She is particularly interested in small animal surgery, but she does enjoy the occasional lambing as well! At home she has a retired trail hound called Meg and a cat called Edie. Outside work she likes to get out running and cycling – and would love to complete the Wainwright walks one day soon!
Lucy Ferguson
BVM&S MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Lucy graduated from the Royal Dick School, Edinburgh, in 2016. She initially worked in mixed practice in north Scotland, before joining the team in 2018. She is primarily a small animal vet with a particular interest in surgery and orthopaedics – but she’ll still lend a hand with lambings and calvings in spring! In her spare time she can often be found walking her cocker spaniel, Wallace, in the fells and swimming in the Lakes in summer.