Katie Palmer

Julian Norton left Skeldale after 21 years because he was dissatisfied with the practice’s direction following its merger with Medivet. He subsequently founded Sandbeck Vets in Wetherby in 2019 and Thirsk Veterinary Centre in 2021, continuing his commitment to independent mixed veterinary practice. In July 2026, he became a trustee of the Petplan Charitable Trust. Norton has also spoken about loneliness and mental-health pressures in veterinary work, supporting the Shift Your Focus initiative, while continuing to appear in discussions surrounding Channel 5’s The Yorkshire Vet.

Annabel Croft recounts distressing final moments before her husband Mel Coleman's death from colon cancer in 2023, describing a nurse whose harsh tone and comments about his imminent death left the family traumatised. She contrasts this experience with the compassionate care provided by most other nurses, explaining that the nurse dismissed Mel’s wishes regarding resuscitation and delivered updates in a manner she felt was cruel. The rapid progression of Mel’s illness, occurring just 16 weeks after diagnosis, left the family devastated.