Veterinary group boosts research support
IVC Evidensia is to expand support for practice staff undertaking clinical research in a bid to create more opportunities for many of its 15,000 vets and nurses wanting to innovate.
In a joint initiative between the group’s veterinary medical board (GVMB) and its referral team, the company, which has three practices in Northern Ireland, said it would provide extensive practical support and financial assistance, as well as strengthening links professional links.
Deputy chief medical officer Alistair Cliff said: “We introduced funding for research across our European group at the beginning of this year and have been overwhelmed by the interest this has received. We understand the importance of these opportunities for professional development and an individual’s job satisfaction.
“We believe it is incumbent upon us to increase this support for research to contribute to the advancement of knowledge, the development of our teams and our value as an employer. Ensuring our teams are content, with a diverse range of ways to develop, is important in allowing us to continue to attract the best people in the profession.
‘Immediate investment’
“The leadership teams have been working with our clinicians to understand how to provide that support, driving forward effective plans for immediate investment, both in terms of direct funding and in the platforms our teams require to interact and network within a rich research community.”
In June the group made its first seven awards grants through the GVMB Research Fund, with teams in the UK, the Netherlands and France all benefitting .
n total, the funding provided will benefit 21 researchers.
Chief medical officer Amanda Boag added: “It is incredibly satisfying to be able to provide support to our teams at critical points of their professional development. In some cases, funding has been provided to experienced researchers looking to contribute yet more to the understanding within their respective disciplines.
“In other examples, we have supported interns, who are at the very beginning of that journey and at a stage where funding can be difficult to secure.”
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