Eastcott Referrals, in Swindon, has launched a £500,000 Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) unit being led by David Mackenzie, an advanced practitioner in ECC and RVN Harriet Deering, the clinical lead.

Eastcott says all staff working in the ECC unit have received specific intensive care training and will be supported by discipline-specific specialists at all times.

The service will be run by three ECC/medicine vets during the day and three ECC vets at night, supported by four day nurses and two night nurses.

Harriet said: "By having all the specialist disciplines available at the practice, we can offer a more holistic service to emergency patients. For example, if a dog is involved in a road traffic accident, the ICU can stabilise it and give emergency care and pain relief. 

"Dentistry can then repair jaw and mouth injuries; orthopaedics can repair any other broken bones and soft tissue can assess and repair any damaged organs.  This is all supported by our dedicated anaesthesia service and advanced imaging capabilities.

"The ICU also provides a calm environment for critically ill and injured patients to recover following surgery or other planned treatments from other disciplines."

David said: “We’ve created a purpose-built intensive care unit with all the latest ICU equipment, including our own laboratory; critical care cribs; temperature, humidity and oxygen-controlled intensive care kennels and an ICU ventilator.

"This means we have the facilities to care for the most severely injured and critical cases.

"We also have a high-quality team of enthusiastic, dedicated ECC vets and nurses to lead the service. Everyone has a background of ECC work and a true passion for it."

For more information, visit www.eastcottreferrals.co.uk. 

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