University of Surrey secures £4.9 million
Image: University of Surrey
The University of Surrey has secured £4.9 million of funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), for a new clinical skills centre at its Guildford-based campus.
The state-of-the-art centre is at the heart of the university's plans for a new School of Veterinary Medicine, which is to launch in 2014. The aim of the Veterinary Clinical Skills Centre, according to the university, will be to combine live and simulation veterinary clinical skills training in a single facility. It also promises to offer lifelong learning opportunities for practising veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, para-professionals and clinical scientists.
Professor Lisa Roberts, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, said: "We are delighted to have received this funding from HEFCE's catalyst fund scheme. Surrey's new Veterinary Clinical Skills Centre will provide the next generation of veterinarians with an outstanding facility. Training in this environment will increase our students' confidence and competence and will provide them with the best possible preparation for real-life clinical practice."
According to the university, by facilitating the clustering of innovative veterinary and health initiatives around the campus and Surrey Research Park, the new development hopes to stimulate private sector investment, continued economic development and the generation of jobs.
Professor Roberto La Ragione, associate dean, says: "The centre will be developed in partnership with three local clinical veterinary partners. It will be key to unlocking the full potential of the School of Veterinary Medicine to deliver wider public benefit, in terms of research and knowledge exchange, partnerships with commercial and public practices and laboratories, and provision of continuing professional development."
Commenting on the funding, HEFCE director for research and knowledge exchange David Sweeney said: "The Veterinary Clinical Skills Centre is an exciting and impressive initiative which will have significant long-term wider benefits beyond the University of Surrey, and beyond veterinary medicine. This is the second project we have funded from the Catalyst Fund. We look forward to supporting more innovative and dynamic projects and related activity in higher education during 2013."
The new centre is to be located on the University's Manor Park Campus.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
