University of Melbourne detail future of U-Vet Animal Hospital

The fate of Victoria’s only dedicated veterinary teaching hospital has been decided after the University of Melbourne wanted to close the facility.

The future of the University of Melbourne’s U-Vet Animal Hospital has been revealed after four weeks of community consultations to discuss what should happen to the state’s only dedicated veterinary teaching hospital.

In November the University said the U-Vet Animal Hospital at Werribee would close at the end of this year and would not reopen in the new year, subject to consultation, leaving about 80 jobs at risk.

This week the university made the decision to cease operating U‐Vet, effective Saturday December 24, but will lease the facility to, and partner with, Greencross Pet Wellness Company into the new year.

Greencross Pet Wellness Company said it wanted to open the doors to a veterinary general practice clinic, with a 24‐hour specialist and emergency hospital, by January 16 next year to coincide with the academic year.

University of Melbourne vice‐chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell said they remained committed to their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree for students through the Melbourne Veterinary School.

The U-Vet animal hospital in Werribee will be leased to the Greencross Pet Wellness Company.

“Our Werribee campus is an important hub for teaching and research, as well as equine specialist care through the Equine Centre,” he said.

“The need for veterinary services in the local area was by far the most common concern during engagement with staff, students, members of the community and other stakeholders.”

As part of this agreement, a number of university staff members will work with Greencross at the Werribee facility to provide clinical teaching and placement opportunities for the university’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students.

The university in a statement said staff members affected by the decision had been informed directly and would continue to be supported as it prepares to close U‐Vet.

The university also said redeployment and payout periods for staff will start from January 2023 to ensure that staff would continue to be paid as normal over the Christmas and New Year period.

In November the university said a reduced case load and staffing issues made operating the U‐Vet animal hospital “unsustainable”.

Greencross chief executive George Wahby said his company, which operates 21 specialty and emergency animal hospitals and 165 vet GP clinics across Australia, was excited to partner with the University of Melbourne.

“This new location expands our geographic footprint and is consistent with our strategy of bringing care close to home for our patients no matter where they are,” he said.

“The partnership will ensure convenient access to the most advanced health care and services for pet parents in the Port Phillip area.”