Facilities

The Veterinary Nursing Centre houses a simulated practice, which allows hands-on experience in a safe environment before students go into veterinary practice.

Students train on a variety of equipment; such as biochemistry and haematology machines, autoclaves and anaesthetic machines.

Reception
Tristan veterinary software allows students to practice appointment-handling and checking patient history. They are also assessed on providing clients with relevant information on recommended animal feed, worming and flea treatment and with issuing over-the-counter medication.

Dispensary
This area allows students to practice dispensing drugs for patients, as they would in a working practice.

Consultation room
A fully equipped room for pet clinics and client interaction where students practise major aspects of the veterinary nursing role such as discharging animals from surgery care and giving owners advice on the general husbandry and welfare of their pets. Support in this training environment is provided by visiting professionals, actors and members of the public.

X-ray
Simulation x-ray machines and Tin Canis dog-skeleton models allow students to practice positioning dogs for x-rays. Our developing equipment allows students to develop and diagnose film faults and positional errors.

Laboratory
The lab contains biochemistry and haematology machines for blood testing and health-diagnostic work. There is also a selection of other standard surgery equipment.

Hospital
Our kennel facilities house hospitalised animals and allow students to learn pre- and post-operative care. Students also prepare for the array of exotic and unusual species that visit veterinary practices by drawing up specialised care plans.

Preparation area
A full surgery preparation facility includes ECG monitoring, drug administration, instrument preparation, and two fully functioning anaesthetic machines.

Theatre
Students are taught to set up for specific operations and real footage of surgery is used to guide students through these procedures. Students will ‘scrub up’ and set instrument trolleys aseptically and learn how to handle instruments and assist the veterinary surgeon. Students are taught to clean this room to a high standard as they would in a veterinary practice to minimise infection.