Veterinary partnerships
The shortage of veterinarians in regional NSW is being met with a strong response from the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities.
Most of regional Australia is finding it difficult to attract veterinarians, with many students deciding on an urban practice over the challenges of a larger animal rural practice.
The State’s 14 Livestock Health and Pest Authorities have strengthened the relationship with the University of Sydney and Charles Sturt University to improve the ability of veterinarians to diagnose and manage diseases of farm animals now and into the future.
Veterinary interns from both universities continue to spend time with District Veterinarians in regional NSW.
Chairman of the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities State Management Council, David Lister, said the students see the practical hands on experience as extremely important in developing skills.
“The ability to make an accurate diagnosis on the basis of a post mortem examination is a key element of managing diseases and the internships give students opportunities to perform these.
“The internships provide students with practical experience on larger animals, which is something they can’t get in Sydney practices.
“We’ve already had some students from previous years who’ve returned to regional areas and we’d like to encourage more,” Mr Lister said.
The connection with the universities has also been of benefit to the local authorities. The two universities and the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities have developed a pathology training program.
This will not only improve the ability of the District Veterinarians to diagnose the cause of death but improves their ability to teach those skills to new veterinarians.
David Lister said the pathology training has been extremely valuable in lifting the skills level of our veterinarians, which is extremely important in protecting the rural sector from an exotic disease outbreak.
“The authority’s staff are the frontline people in managing any disease outbreak and we keep on top of the latest information and techniques to deal with any problems.
“The internships allow Sydney University students to formularise themselves with the Livestock Health and Pest Authority system, which will be of great assistance in the case of an exotic disease outbreak in Australia.
“The first students from Charles Sturt Universities Veterinary School are expected to graduate at the end of the year and we would encourage them to consider employment with our organisation,” Mr Lister said.
Media Contact: Bruce Reynolds 02 6391 3615 or 0428 613 181