Global uptake for neurologist Ed's lockdown lessons

Ed Ives, head of neurology and neurosurgery at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in Winchester, Hampshire, spent lockdown writing expert presentations, which have now been viewed across the UK and Europe, and as far afield as Australia and the USA.

Ed, who has worked at Linnaeus-owned Anderson Moores since 2015, said the original idea was simply to allow him to continue teaching during lockdown but he quickly realised he could actually reach a far bigger audience.

He said: “I really enjoy teaching, so when coronavirus hit the UK last year, I wanted to find a way to use my time effectively and to continue seminars for our residents.

“As we obviously couldn’t meet up due to lockdown restrictions, the talks had to be held online and this opened up the possibility to offer them to a wider audience as well.

“I ended up writing 10 presentations, covering around eight hours’ worth of content which summarised the most widely used electrodiagnostic techniques in veterinary medicine.

“Electro-diagnostics is an important part of the training programme for veterinary neurologists but I know many residents can find it a confusing or intimidating topic and I wanted to help.

“The sessions are far from exhaustive but I really hope that people find them useful, either for revision or simply to better understand a subject when it is broken down and explained in an accessible way. At least that was my goal.”

Ed, who is an RCVS and EBVS European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology, said that he has been delighted with the response so far.

He added: “The first set of ‘live’ online presentations ran between April and November last year, before I had the idea to offer the recordings of the sessions to any veterinary neurologist around the world, particularly to residents preparing for their exams.

“The idea has really taken off and, so far, I have sent recordings to over 100 neurologists across the UK,
Europe, Australia, Canada and numerous places across the USA.”

Ed delivered the lectures free of charge but did ask for donations to the Melanoma UK charity in memory of his mum Claire, who died from a malignant melanoma in 2013.

He said: "I asked if people would be kind enough to consider making a voluntary donation to Melanoma UK if I sent them the talks and I have been astounded by the thoughtful messages and generosity they have shown.”

Anderson Moores director and American, RCVS and EBVS European specialist in small animal internal medicine David Walker said: “Ed’s excellent lockdown initiative has been a remarkable success and he has reached clinicians and students all over the world.

“In the process, he has also raised money for a charity which is so close to his heart and we’re really delighted for him.

“His experience, passion and dedication make him an exceptional team leader for our neurology and neurosurgery department as well as an excellent teacher.”

Anderson Moores provides specialist-led care in orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, internal medicine, cardiology, dermatology, oncology, anaesthesia, diagnostic imaging, dentistry and physiotherapy.

For more information Visit Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists website.