Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists (SCVS), one of the largest specialist vet referrals centres in the UK, based in Ringwood, Hampshire, is undergoing an extensive expansion, doubling the current premises to 30,000 ft2.
The 200-strong team at SCVS Vets will be provided with a state-of-the-art referral hospital, beautifully designed to compliment the stunning surroundings of the New Forest National Park.
The improvements are part of a programme of extensive group-wide investment into referral services and staff by IVC Evidensia. Set to be the largest in the investment programme, the latest phase of the SCVS vet hospital redevelopment is expected to be complete in October 2022.
Modern facilities at Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists
Client comfort and patient care
Key to the Ringwood hospital development is the addition of a new two-storey building which will add an inviting new reception and waiting area. This also includes a private waiting room for sensitive cases, multiple new consulting rooms, as well as additional out-patient procedure rooms and extensive new equipment.
Cat friendly clinic
Cats will be well looked after at the facility, with a dedicated cat-friendly waiting area and a cat-only consulting room to minimise client stress when visiting the hospital with their pets.
Thoughts from SCVS Vets' Hospital Director
Stephen Collins, Hospital Director and Specialist Cardiologist at Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists, states:
“We are very excited about the developments at our Ringwood Hospital and are looking forward to opening our doors later this year. We have an amazing team of people at SCVS, and I am delighted we now have a facility that will provide them with the very best working environment as well as more space to allow us to expand the services we offer.
“After two long years of Covid restrictions, we are very much looking forward to inviting clients into this fabulous facility and providing them, and their pets, with the exceptional care they deserve.”
Enhanced services at Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists
As well as an increase in the number of pets across the UK, the pandemic pet boom has seen a shift in mindset of owners as they increasingly look for more advanced treatment options to pet health situations.
New theatres for advanced surgery
The SCVS hospital will benefit from a brand-new operating theatre complex which will include give new theatres, all with advanced equipment to expand the level of treatment offered on site, including orthopaedic, soft tissue, neurology and interventional cardiology theatres.
Pet rehabilitation suites
The development will also see the addition of a new physiotherapy and hydrotherapy suite, with brand new water treadmill, dedicated consulting room and large arena area with gait analysis capability.
Fostering learning and development at SCVS Vets
Training and developing future talent is also a key focus at Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists. Collins further shared his delight at the opening of new training facilities:
“We are particularly excited about our new lecture theatre. SCVS has one of the largest resident and intern training programmes within the IVC Evidensia group, so we are delighted to now have a new lecture room to further enhance our teaching capabilities.We are also very much looking forward to sharing this area, providing high quality CPD events for our vet and nurse colleagues in the region.
“These additional buildings, as well as equipment and staff investment will provide us with the resources to further enhance the referral services we provide, supporting our colleagues in practice and the local pet-owning community. We believe we will offer the very best professional and learning environment for vets and nurses, helping us to continue attracting the very best people in the veterinary field to SCVS Vets.”
Renovated colleague areas
In addition to all the new clinical facilities, a new spacious staff area will provide the growing team with a communal area to meet, relax and dine together. Kennel space for staff dogs has also been increased, further supporting the Ringwood-based hospital's ‘bring your dog to work” policy. A specific staff welfare area will also help ensure the very best working environment.
Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists redevelopment first stage
Once the new buildings open in October 2022, redevelopment of the existing hospital buildings will start. This area will be totally redesigned and refurbished, to create a new diagnostic imaging suite including new MRI facility (Siemens Altea 1.5T MRI), improved CT facility (Siemens 64-slice ECG-gated Somatom), brand new radiography suite and two dedicated ultrasound rooms. There will also be a dedicated ICU unit, new endoscopy and chemotherapy areas and a neurology area with dedicated EMG room.
Read more about SCVS Vets:
Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists unveils £10m expansion
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