Jobs boost as small-animal veterinary referral hospital opens doors in Livingston

A specialist veterinary referral hospital has opened its doors in West Lothian after its launch was pushed back by the coronavirus crisis.

Based at Deer Park, Livingston, Veterinary Specialists Scotland, VSS, provides a referral service to vets throughout Scotland and the north of England for cases that require more advanced diagnostic techniques and treatment.

Based at Deer Park, Livingston, Veterinary Specialists Scotland (VSS) was originally set for a spring or early summer opening, but the pandemic and lockdown restrictions pushed those plans back.

The centre, which has led to the creation of several skilled jobs, provides a 24/7 referral service to vets throughout Scotland and the north of England for cases that require more advanced diagnostic techniques and treatment.

The purpose-built facility boasts a team of highly qualified staff, led by Dr Sam Woods and Professor Dick White as co-clinical directors.

Woods said: “We are thrilled to finally be able to officially open our referral hospital and start welcoming patients from the surrounding area and throughout Scotland.

“This has been a strange and difficult year for us all, but we hope our new facility will be a great asset to the local veterinary community, as an extra support with specialist referral cases. We are really looking forward to building relationships with local vets, to help them offer the best care to pets in need of treatment.”

Professor White added: “Since its inception, our vision for VSS has always been to create a world-class facility, with state-of-the-art technology and outstanding levels of care for both vets and pets, and it feels great that we have finally been able to open the doors, welcome patients in and start on our journey.

“We are excited to become a part of the local community in Livingston and hope we can offer new opportunities to those looking to join, or already within, the veterinary profession through our CPD [continuing professional development] and internship offering. We are looking forward to what the future will hold.”

In 2003, after a career spanning more than 25 years teaching surgery at the University of Cambridge, White founded Dick White Referrals, a specialist-led veterinary referral centre in East Anglia.

The centre began with just three members of staff and now employs some 50 specialists, with more than 350 colleagues providing specialist referral services in 11 different disciplines.

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