CVS Emergency and Critical Care training programme goes live
ECCelerate aims to improve outcomes for both day and night time emergency cases
CVS has created a comprehensive training programme designed to help any CVS vet develop their confidence and competence to respond to emergency and critical care cases.
The training programme will ensure vets deliver the best possible outcomes for every emergency case that they see, whether the case presents at 2pm or 2am. The aim is that colleagues will be confident enough to deliver great care to emergency cases in a real-life environment with the equipment, and medication that they have available.
The ECCelerate course is designed for both day and night time vets, together with those looking for a stepping-stone to a career as an emergency vet. The programme can flex to meet individual needs and will support a wide range of vets, from those looking to move into an out-of-hours role to those who simply want to feel less stressed when an emergency case presents in the middle of their day.
The 18-24 month programme was developed by CVS’ out-of-hours and LED teams, as well as vets and nurses on the front line of emergency care. It includes five days of practical skills training and hundreds of hours of online resource. Monthly topics and discussion forums are also led and delivered by CVS vet and nurse trainers. Each ECCelerate team member has a skills checklist to inform their ongoing training needs, and has regular, informal meetings with a local mentor – who is able to support their learning.
Nigel Stansbie, Head of Learning at CVS, said:
"I am excited about the opportunity that ECCelerate provides for vets within CVS to further their skills, and ultimately deliver better clinical outcomes for some of the most challenging cases that they will see. I also hope that it serves to relieve the onset of any anxiety oftentimes felt when vets are presented with emergency cases."
The next ECCelerate veterinary course starts in June 2024. Future plans include offering versions of the course to CVS nurse and practice teams.
CVS Group operates across small animal, farm animal, equine, laboratories and crematoria, with over 500 veterinary practices, referral centres and sites in the UK, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands. In the last five years the company has invested nearly £80 million in its sites, facilities and equipment, in addition to industry leading training and support, to give the best possible care to animals.