Doubts over future of Werribee equine centre; redundancies loom

Doubts have emerged over the future of Werribee’s world-renowned equine centre as the University of Melbourne considers changes.

Staff at the Werribee Animal Hospital treat 25,000 animals a year.

The future of Werribee’s acclaimed 24-hour equine centre is up in the air amid reports the University of Melbourne is considering major changes to veterinary services at the site.

The U-Vet Werribee Animal Hospital, run by the university, is also believed to seeking 11 redundancies from the 50 academics who teach trainee vets.

The equine centre provides quarantine services for international racehorses who come to Victoria for the Melbourne Cup and other lucrative races.

Any closure of the centre would be a major blow to the racing and equestrian communities because it is the major critical care facility for horses close to Melbourne. The next nearest treatment centres are in Ballarat and Seymour

The Herald Sun also believes that oncology services and the intensive care unit were under review at Werribee as part of a consultation process ending on December 18.

In a statement on Thursday, the university said there were no changes to the hospital operations or staffing “at this time”.

“Staff are currently being consulted on a proposed change plan for U-Vet Werribee Animal Hospital as part of the University’s response to the impact of COVID-19,’’ a spokeswoman said.

Internationally trained racehorses, including stars from the Godolphin stable, quarantine at the Werribee quarantine centre.

More than 25,000 animals are treated at the hospital every year, and staff this year have been inundated during the pandemic because of the boom in pet ownership.

One veterinary specialist – not employed at Werribee – said the teaching of vets at the hospital was an expensive operation but vital.

“Cuts to the teaching hospital would be a major concern for the training of future vets,’’ the told the Herald Sun.

Sources said morale among staff is believed to be low in the face of the latest round of redundancies which are part of the university’s overall target of 450 planned job cuts.

The university statement said no decisions had yet been made or implemented.

“There are no plans to stop providing oncology services or to close U-Vet Werribee Equine Centre.

“Any decisions that might affect how any services are delivered will be made early next year.’’

@IanRoyall