Many people consider vets to be the unsung heroes of the pandemic. Like most other businesses, veterinary practices have been forced to adapt ways of working during the lockdown, but vets have still been under immense pressure to provide essential services in environments where close proximity is unavoidable. Understandably, personal safety of colleagues, animals and their owners, is a major concern for practitioners.
Hammond Vets is a mixed animal veterinary practice focusing on the treatment of equines, livestock and smallholders in the Hertfordshire and East Essex area. For several months, the business has had to keep its doors shut and operate a drop-off/collection service from outside the practice to prevent members of the public entering the building. Now, the business is quickly getting back to its regular working pattern thanks to the use of powerful UV lamps that disinfect against COVID-19.
Lauran Hammond, owner, Hammond Vets, comments: “We are obviously conscious of making the practice as safe as possible for all staff and visitors. To conduct a really thorough deep-clean was a long, labour-intensive task, and it was also a struggle to get hold of the disinfectants and wipes we needed. As a medical industry we understood about the power of ultraviolet light and were aware of its usage as a means of disinfecting objects and areas. Once UV became associated with protecting against COVID-19 we researched solutions that would work for the scale of our premises.”
Hammond Vets invested in a portable, remote-controllable 72watt UV lamp from Cornish-based lighting specialist UV Clean Light. The business has also invested in UV Clean Light’s Sterilon Flow portable air disinfection solution.
Lauran continues: “The lamp is used in rooms where animals are brought in and out. We set the light up at the end of each day to disinfect for an hour – controlled remotely from outside the room. As we let more members of the public through the doors we will probably increase the number of times that we use the lamp on a daily basis.
“The UV light totally disinfects the room and surfaces ready for the next day’s practice. UV also kills all other germs and bacteria, so that may well be an added advantage as cold and flu season approaches. As a small practice, if one member of the team is ill it can have a huge impact on productivity. We will also be adding an air disinfection unit to our reception area. This solution can be operated safely in the presence of people so we can leave it running whenever reception is occupied.
“Much like the NHS, vets have just had to get on with it during the worst of the pandemic. The UV solutions are certainly a safeguard for the here and now but they will also protect us long-term if there’s a second wave or similar situation in the future. We’re not replacing personal protective equipment with UV light, we’re adding extra layers of protection. UV is a very clever, safe and sensible idea that is saving our business time and, more importantly, helping our people and our visitors to feel less vulnerable.”
