Vets in the UK are being asked to provide any compatible equipment, such as mechanical ventilators or personal protective equipment (PPE), to the National Health Service (NHS).

A call has gone out across the UK for equipment including monitors, anaesthetic machines, oxygen concentrators and PPE that are not being used for emergency animal care and can be loaned to the NHS.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons are co-ordinating the efforts.

Separately, there have also been reports of a number of UK vets volunteering on the frontline.

Although a number of regulatory challenges exist, the Irish Farmers Journal understands that vets can still offer their medical expertise in a limited capacity.

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