Vets to study via video link in UK first

VETS from Scotland’s remote areas are to learn about emergency medicine and other animal treatments via a video link with Edinburgh University.

A series of monthly seminars is being held at the university’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary studies and now vets from as far away as the Shetland Islands will be able to watch and take part in discussions using video conferencing facilities.

The project, a first for a UK vet school, is the result of a collaboration between the university’s office of lifelong learning, the veterinary school and North Highland College. Jimmy Simpson, a senior lecturer at the university’s hospital for small animals, said: "This is a milestone in our expansion of continuing professional development."

"We hope to be able to extend this scheme to include more vets in the remoter parts of Scotland.

"In future, we may also consider transferring this course to CD-Rom, to make it available for a future accredited distance learning course for veterinary professionals."