Page 7 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2022

 

 

 

 

 

Page 7 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2022
P. 7

GENERAL NEWS                                                                   and snag the SLC and beginning to
                                                                                install the furniture and AV systems. All
                                                                                being well we will have the first teaching
                                                                                scheduled shortly after Easter.
                                                                                While this is the largest and most visible
                                                                                part of the project, there is still much to
                                                                                do. In the second quarter of 2023, we
                                                                                will be knocking through the eastern
                                                                                wall of the Eclipse building into the new
                                                                                atrium to create a large open reception
                                                                                area and café space with a permanent
                                                                                home for the  Shop.
                                                                                Once all teaching and student spaces
                                                                                are relocated from Eclipse, we will be
                                                                                remodelling the top two floors to create
                                                                                improved office accommodation for
                                                                                staff currently based in Kalanisi and
                                                                                the hospital’s temporary offices.

                                                                                It may have taken us a century, not to
                                                                                mention a range of challenges including,
                                                                                but not limited to, the fall outs from
                                                                                Brexit and the pandemic, but we’re
                                                                                nearly there!

                                             Improvements at Boltons Park Farm

                                             The campus developments aren’t just   ago and had become the single
                                             at Hawkshead though, we’ve been busy  biggest obstacle to us milking our herd
                                             at the ’s farm as well.         efficiently. It is a simple but unarguable
                                                                                truth, a happy cow is one that is moving,
                                             Some of you may remember the       eating or sleeping, so minimising time in
                                             single storey Medway classrooms in   the milking parlour is good for cows and
                                             front of the farmhouse.  Sadly, these   more efficient for  staff.
                                             had come to the end of their useful life
                                             and were being “reclaimed by nature”   As before, the system includes
                                             at an accelerating rate. You know it is   automatic cup release, to prevent
                                             time to move on when the vegetation   overmilking, but the new equipment
                                             is providing partial support for the   also has an automatic backflush which
                                             roof of any structure! These have now   should reduce the risk of mastitis. The
                                             been demolished along with the old   reduced milking time should also help
                                             farrowing house.                   prevent lameness and there is hope
                                                                                that the enhanced welfare conditions
                                             The milking parlour has also had a
                                             much-needed revamp. The previous   will give us happier cows and an
                                             facility was installed around 20 years   increased yield.



          Centre for Translational Research and Clinical Imaging


          Elsewhere at Hawkshead, the first staff   This purpose-designed unit is   Every project throws up something
          are due to receive their training in our   dedicated to innovative health   completely unexpected – something
          new Centre for Translational Research   programmes and clinical care activities.   impossible to plan for – and so we
          and Clinical Imaging, (TRACI).     The MRI suite consists of spaces for   found ourselves installing a major
                                             anaesthesia induction, sterile theatre   piece of temperature-sensitive
          Throughout the spring and summer,
          we have been busy building a new   and patient recovery, and will allow   equipment into a chilled room on the
          facility adjacent to the Queen Mother   for an increased diversity in species   hottest day the UK has ever seen.
          Hospital for Animals (QMHA) to house   assessment, contributing to the delivery   It keeps the job interesting!
          a MAGNETOM Vida 3T MRI scanner.    of science and patient welfare.


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