Sinead Armstrong of Ark Vets, Ewell near Epsom becomes one of the first UK practices to respond to the ProSalus Foundation’s appeal for equipment to resupply veterinary practices in Ukraine.
Ark Vets, an independent veterinary practice in Ewell, near Epsom, has stepped forward as one of the first UK practices to respond to the ProSalus Foundation’s appeal for donated equipment for Ukrainian veterinary colleagues. The donation, organised by Sinead Armstrong of Ark Vets, was sent to Burtons Group in Maidstone, who have agreed to act as the central UK receiving point for such donations on behalf of Prosalus, and to service items where technical attention would be of benefit before onward shipping.
The appeal follows the recent announcement that David Burton, CEO of Burtons Group, had agreed to receive donated equipment from UK practices and consolidate shipments for onward delivery to Ukraine. The ProSalus Foundation is working in partnership with the Ukrainian Small Animal Veterinary Association (USAVA) to match donations to the needs of practices that have been depleted of equipment — either through secondment of items to field hospitals supporting frontline military personnel, or because their own premises have been damaged or destroyed by missile and drone strikes.
Ark Vets’ donation is a substantial one, covering a broad range of clinical, surgical, anaesthetic and diagnostic equipment, together with consumables and comforts for patients. Items donated include:
- An Agfa digital processor (as previously discussed) together with a grid suitable for x-raying larger animals
- An electric lift table
- A hydraulic fold-down stainless steel table
- Two brand-new clipper sets — a Medline (with approximately 40 replacement blades) and an Aesculap
- A table light with magnifier
- An electrosurgery unit
- A selection of surgical instruments, disposable theatre hats and a chest drain
- Dog coats, bowls and toys
- Hand-sanitising gel and dispenser
- Anaesthetic equipment, including oxygen generators, a circle anaesthetic circuit and a selection of ET tubes
- A mini-Lack circuit (tubing not included)
- Drains, central catheters, PEG tubes and nasogastric feeding tubes
- Human forehead thermometers
- A laryngoscope
- A Keeler otoscope
- An elbow dispenser for a Hibiscrub bottle
- A charging station for a Heine otoscope/ophthalmoscope set
- A nurse’s holster bag and fob watch
- Blood pressure cuffs and pressure gauge
- A range of additional items being prepared for shipping
Comment from the ProSalus Foundation:
Dr Mark Johnston MRCVS, Vice-President of the ProSalus Foundation, said: “This is exactly the kind of response we were hoping for when we launched the appeal with Burtons. Sinead and the team at Ark Vets have shown both significant generosity and practical thinking — the breadth of items they have offered, from a digital x-ray processor through to anaestheticequipment, surgical instruments and even comforts like dog coats and toys, will make a real difference to Ukrainian practices that have lost so much.
“On behalf of our colleagues at USAVA and the practices they support, I would like to thank Sinead and Ark Vets very sincerely. We hope their example will encourage other UK practices to look around their stores and see what they too might be able to contribute. Almost any piece of working equipment, surgical instrument, consumable or medication that is sitting unused in the UK could be quietly transformative for a colleague trying to look after their patients in Ukraine.”
Comment from Ark Vets:
Dr Sinead Armstrong MRCVS, of Ark Vets, Ewell, near Epson, said: “When we heard about the ProSalus Foundation appeal and the situation facing veterinary colleagues in Ukraine, it was an easy decision. Like many practices, we had upgraded various pieces of equipment over the years and had items in good working order that were simply sitting unused. It felt completely wrong to keep them on a shelf when colleagues in Ukraine are trying to look after patients with so little.
“We are very grateful to Burtons for taking on the logistics, and to ProSalus for co-ordinating with USAVA so that what we send actually matches what is needed on the ground. I would encourage every UK practice to have a look around — you may be surprised at what could be put to good use elsewhere.”
