Published: 10 Feb 2026 | Last Updated: 10 Feb 2026 12:00:03

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has announced the appointment of Dr Steven De Decker as the Clinical Director – Small Animal Emergencies & Referrals Service based at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (QMHA) in Hertfordshire. Dr De Decker, who is RVC’s Professor in Neurology and Neurosurgery, will bring his extensive expertise in clinical care and vast knowledge to the role. 

The QMHA is one of the largest and most advanced veterinary hospitals in the world, home to the largest team of Board-certified specialists across a variety of specialisms in the UK. It is the only recognised Level 1 Trauma Center in Europe and a dedicated Transfusion service. It also has exceptional diagnostic and surgical technology, such as the 3T MRI scanner with BioMatrix Technology and 320 slice CT-scanner, to support routine and complex cases.

As a not-for-profit teaching hospital, clinicians have access to the latest clinical data and advanced equipment, with its specialists leading vital research and care in their relevant fields.

Dr De Decker graduated in 2005 from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University in Belgium. After graduation, he completed a Rotating Internship and PhD on the diagnosis and treatment of disc-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy, known as wobbler syndrome, in dogs. Dr De Decker then joined the RVC in 2010 and became a European and MRCVS-recognised specialist in veterinary neurology.

Dr De Decker assumed the role of Head of the Neurology and Neurosurgery service at the QMHA in 2016. His research interests are spinal cord disorders, neurosurgery and clinical reasoning in dogs and cats. He has published research on many areas in these fields, including the prevalence of thoracic vertebral malformations in French Bulldogs, Pugs and English Bulldogs with and without associated neurological deficits; diagnostic imaging in intervertebral disc disease; and immune-mediated inflammatory brain disorders.

Alongside his clinical role, Dr De Decker teaches the RVC’s BVetMed and postgraduate MVetMed students. He also frequently delivers continuous professional education at national and international level. He is the Past-President of the British Veterinary Neurology Society and the current Chair of the Education Committee of the European College of Veterinary Neurology.

As Clinical Director of the RVC, Dr De Decker will work closely with the QMHA’s Operations Director, Lisa Lines, and the rest of the clinical team in this ever-evolving service.

Dr Steven De Decker, Clinical Director at the RVC’s QMHA, said:

“It is an enormous privilege to take up the role of Clinical Director. While the RVC is at the forefront of clinical service and innovation, it is also a warm, welcoming and empathic place. I look forward to contributing to the further development and growth of the QMHA and its community.”

Notes to Editors

For media enquiries, please contact:

• rvc@plmr.co.uk
• Press Line: 0800 368 9520

About the RVC

• The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the UK's largest and longest established independent veterinary school and is a Member Institution of the University of London. 
• It is one of the few veterinary schools in the world that hold accreditations from the RCVS in the UK (with associated recognition from the AVBC for Australasia, the VCI for Ireland and the SAVC for South Africa), the EAEVE in the EU, and AVMA in the USA and Canada. 
• The RVC is ranked as the top veterinary school in the world in the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2025. 
• The RVC offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences. 
• The RVC is a research-led institution, with 88% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world class in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. 
• The RVC provides animal owners and the veterinary profession with access to expert veterinary care and advice through its teaching hospitals and first opinion practices in London and Hertfordshire.