VetPartners buys nursing school

Lynwood School of Veterinary Nursing in Dorchester has been acquired by VetPartners – and becomes the first establishment of its kind to join the group.

The school – run by RVNs Val Belbin and Lisa Bugh, who both have certificates of education – provides tuition to more than 100 students in veterinary nursing and related subjects. Since being established 22 years ago, the institution has trained more than 1,000 nurses and can boast exam results that exceed the national average.

Mrs Belbin set up the educational establishment after 12 years as a veterinary nurse, before completing her teacher training at Berkshire College of Agriculture, where she also taught veterinary nursing and animal care.

New venture

Mrs Bugh, who was previously head nurse at Lynwood Vets, said: “Over the years, we have seen former students go on to become head nurses, practice manager or specialists in referral practices.

“We support more than 70 different training practices across five different counties – Dorset, Somerset, Devon, Wiltshire and Hampshire. Some are VetPartners practices, so we have heard them saying joining the group is a positive move.

“This is a new move for both the veterinary nurse education establishment and VetPartners. It is an exciting development for the school, and helps secure our future and ensure positive growth.”

Distance learning

Lynwood School of Veterinary Nursing also runs an animal nursing assistant course and a veterinary practice administration certificate, a distance learning course run in association with the veterinary management group.