Two of Scotland’s veterinary science giants have opened their labs to provide additional Covid-19 testing for the NHS.
The farmer-owned Moredun Research Institute and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) are switching from delivering diagnostics for livestock health and welfare to using Moredun’s specialist high-containment facilities at the Pentlands Science Park near Edinburgh to work on around 1,000 Covid tests a day during the “test and protect” phase.
The combined Moredun and SRUC Veterinary Services team have been working with NHS Lothian to ensure that testing will be conducted to NHS diagnostic standards, with training and support provided by NHS staff.
The Moredun-SRUC centre is the first major veterinary hub to support NHS labs to help with Covid-19 testing in the UK and scientists have pledged veterinary surveillance work will also continue.
SRUC chief executive Professor Wayne Powell said the collaborative approach demonstrated the industry’s willingness to share facilities, innovate and adapt working practices to deliver a public good in the national interest.
