Meet the team
Proudly independent, our clinic has quickly expanded since opening its doors in 2020. We're now a team of 16 animal lovers with a supporting network of external specialists by our side. Whatever your pet needs, we've got it covered.
Istvan Makaresz - Veterinary Surgeon
I have qualified as a vet in Hungary in 2000 and after a short period there, working as a mixed practice vet I moved to the UK in 2005. I have been doing locum work mainly in East Sussex since 2010 and finally settled in Seaford several years ago. Andrei and I have known each other from many years ago and we finally decided in 2018 to set up our own independent practice in Newhaven. As a locum I have gained experience in a broad range of fields and I am a genuine general practitioner vet. I have a family, a wife Kate, three teenage kids and we share our home with a cat called Tofu (as you know you never have a cat, a cat has you). In my spare time I enjoy going to the gym, walking in this beautiful area, reading and watching movies.
Andrei Danciu - Veterinary Surgeon
I qualified in Bucharest in 2004 and moved into UK 7 years ago to work as a small animal vet. I have been living on the south coast for the last 5 years and 2 years ago Istvan and I decided to set up our own practice in Newhaven. I enjoy all aspects of my profession but have a particular bias in the surgical field ! I love spending time with family and friends, cycling and double chocolate cookies !
Layla Robinson - Animal Nursing Assistant
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I am very fond of helping the vets and nurses at Portside Vets, I have a passion for all animals and hope to train as a veterinary nurse one day. I have extensive experience in the vet industry as I have worked for the PDSA clinic in Brighton as a Nursing Assistant for 4 years. Outside of work I enjoy countryside walks with my collie Chai, I am almost always outdoors in nature if the weather is nice with family and friends.
Caitlin Cartmel - Registered Veterinary Nurse
Hi!! I qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2018 and have worked in Veterinary Practices since I was 14, so have always had a love for the profession! I have a keen interest in inpatient care and exotics and am always looking to expand my knowledge! I have 4 rescue cats and a crazy Lurcher called Brinkley, all of which I have acquired through my years in practice. Outside of work I enjoy painting, partaking in mud runs and all things Disney, and that's me!
Jane Bray - Receptionist
I enjoy working at Portside Vets and the daily face to face contact with the clients that comes with my receptionist role. I have 5 years previous customer service knowledge of working in a veterinary practice. In my spare time I enjoy gardening and walking with my Husband and Brook my cockapoo. I have two adult children, three cats, three tortoises and a resident hedgehog which Brook barks at.
VETS
Dr Istvan Makaresz DrMedVet MRCVS
Dr Andrei Danciu DVM MRCVS
Dr Joana Bachmann DrMedVet MRCVS
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Dr Stefania Cazzaniga MRCVS
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Dr Daniel Sweetman BVetMed MRCVS
NURSES
Miss Caitlin Napier-Brown RVN
Mrs Stacey Brown RVN
Mrs Lucy Dickins RVN
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Miss Kate Johnson
PET CARE ASSISTANTS
Miss Bethany Corlett
Miss Katy Wood
Miss Layla Robinson
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Mr Louie Benn
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Miss Rachel Slavin
RECEPTIONISTS
Mrs Jane Bray
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Mrs Helen Field
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Mrs Tracy Caroline Anderson
AUXILIARY STAFF
Ms Lucy Dunk
VISITING SPECIALISTS
IMAGING
Dr Andrew Denning BVetMed CertVR DVDI MRCVS
OPHTHAMOLOGY
Dr Karen Casswell BVSc BSc CertVOphthal MRCVS
ENDOSCOPY
Dr Elise Robertson BVetMed BS MACVSc DipABVP FHEA FRSB FRCVS