RVC proudly opens unrivalled animal hospital in the heart of London
18 May 2011
The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) officially opened the doors of the newly refurbished Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital in the heart of Camden, on Wednesday May 18th 2011.
The hospital has been upgraded to create a 21st century primary care practice that offers the highest quality first-referral treatment for pets and their owners - from dental health care to life-saving operations.
The Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital is highly competitive as a companion animal practice with state-of-the-art facilities and up-to-the-minute advice from students and staff working in a leading vet school.
The transformation of the Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital has been made possible through a substantial donation of £1m from the Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust. This contributed towards the £1.5m refurbishment of the hospital which has been renamed in honour of the charity's benefactor, Jean Sainsbury.
The Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital now boasts:
- five refitted consultation rooms
- a dedicated dental suite
- a completely refitted digital radiography suite
- state-of-the-art surgical facilities
- a dedicated ward for 'exotic' pets
- expanded isolation facilities (to minimise likelihood of spread of infectious diseases)
- complete refurbishment of seminar room facilities for students, new office accommodation and major improvements to living quarters for the veterinary nursing team.
Graham Milligan, Clinical Services Director at the Royal Veterinary College, said: "The incredible generosity of the Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust has resulted in a modern veterinary hospital dedicated not only to caring for the pets of North London residents, but which also plays a key role in training our students. This is a fitting addition to the legacy of Jean, who dedicated her life to philanthropy and cared so deeply about the health of animals.
Notes to Editors
- The itinerary for the opening day:
- 11.45 - Arrival in the Lightwell at the Royal Veterinary College in Camden
- 12.00 - Lunch
- 12.30 - Address by the Principal/Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust
- 13.00 - Unveiling in the Beaumont followed by tours of the Hospital
- The Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust was set up in 1981 to support smaller registered animal welfare charities with grants for the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of domestic animals and wildlife. Since its inception in 1982, the Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust has donated over £5,000,000 to registered charities and currently has an annual income of approximately £400,000. Trustees include veterinary, legal and financial expertise and meet three times a year. The managing trustee and fund’s administrator handle day-to-day affairs. www.jeansainsburyanimalwelfare.org.uk/
- Jean Sainsbury (nee Lytle) was born in 1926, educated at Frances Holland School and enjoyed a successful career in publishing. In 1961 Jean married Cyril (Squib) Sainsbury a banker with the Bank of England and no relation to the supermarket family of the same name. In 1981, following the death of her father, she inherited a considerable fortune the major part of which she used to support three of her particular interests in life. She made a major donation to the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children’s Wishing Well Appeal, established the Jean Sainsbury Royal Opera House Fund which continues to sponsor productions at Covent Garden annually, and established the Jean Sainsbury Charitable Trust, later re-named the Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust.
- The Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital (BSAH) remains on its original Camden Town site as the Royal Veterinary College's General Practice since 1932. The Hospital was completed and opened in 1933 as an undergraduate teaching hospital and remains so to this day; providing the Veterinary profession with ethical, compassionate, responsible and professional graduates. The BSAH opens every Monday to Saturday as a first opinion practice for animal owners in the immediate area of Camden Town and surrounding boroughs. www.rvc.ac.uk/bsah
- The Royal Veterinary College is the UK's first and largest veterinary school and a constituent College of the University of London. It also provides support for veterinary and related professions through its three referral hospitals, diagnostic services and continuing professional development courses. www.rvc.ac.uk
Further Information
To request further information or an interview please contact:
- Hannah Murray on 01727 737997
email: hannah@communicationsmanagement.co.uk - Phil Smith on 01727 850761
email: phil@communicationsmanagement.co.uk
The Royal Veterinary College
Established in 1791, the RVC is the UK’s longest-standing veterinary college—with a proud heritage of innovation in veterinary science, clinical practice and education.