Protective Clothing

Practical and Health and Safety considerations mean that certain items of clothing are required for you to attend classes.

What to buy - compulsory clothing

 
ItemNotesWhen Required
Navy Blue boiler suitHigher quality boiler suit. Must be navy blue.Y1/GEP horse practicals and EMS
Parlour top - long-sleeved A waterproof ‘milking parlour type’ top is compulsory for all farm animal practicals throughout your time at vet school. They are also essential for your EMS placements during holidays. These tops must be dedicated for use only in farm animal practicals/EMS and must be 100% waterproof and suitable for thorough cleaning and disinfection. Please note ski/outdoor type jackets or jackets with front openings are not suitable.Y1/GEP farm practicals and EMS
Waterproof trousersWaterproof over-trousers are compulsory for all farm animal practicals throughout your time at vet school. They are also essential for your EMS placements during holidays. These over-trousers must be dedicated for use only in farm animal practicals/EMS and must be 100% waterproof and suitable for thorough cleaning and disinfection.Y1/GEP farm practicals and EMS
Laboratory coat

Two laboratory coats:  White stud front jacket with vent at rear and three front pockets. You need two of these; one for contaminated/dirty practicals such as anatomy dissections and post-mortems and one for wet-lab practicals such as biochemistry.

One long sleeve white coat, embroidered with the RDSVS crest (cuffed long sleeves), will be provided as part of your inauguration ceremony in October, which you may use for practicals if you wish.

Y1/GEP practicals and EMS
Scrub Top

A maroon scrub top with no logos will be mandatory for your final year and for any EMS placements in the small animal hospital. You may choose to have your name embroidered in white on the front left hand side but this is not compulsory.

It is advisable to have a maroon scrub top, however, if you already own a scrub top that isn’t a maroon colour then you may use this for years 1-4 clinical skills classes

Y1/GEP practicals and EMS
Steel toe-capped wellington boots (rubber boots)Steel toe-capped Wellingtons (Rubber Boots) are compulsory. These boots are designed for farm use and are therefore hard wearing and meet British safety standards regarding protective footwear. (P.S. Allow room for thick socks)Y1/GEP  farm practicals and EMS
Strong leather boots with thick soles & steel toe capsThese must be worn for Horse practicals.Y1/GEP Horse practicals and EMS
Protective Headgear

All students will need to supply their own protective headgear so it can be used both on and off-site: 

R(D)SVS Equine Hat Policy – 2024-2025 academic year onwards

All students will need to supply their own protective headgear, which should be in the form of a Jockey Skull riding hat which meet the following safety requirements: 

Jockey skull caps should comply with one of the following certified safety standards*:

  • PAS 015 (2011) with BSI kitemark or Inspec IC Mark
  • VG1 01.040 (2014-12) with BSI kitemark or Inspec IC Mark
  • ASTM F1163 (2004a or 04a onwards) with SEI mark
  • SNELL E2016 with official SNELL number and number
  • AS/NZS 3838 (2006 onwards) with SAI Global mark

*web link to 2024 BHS current hat safety standards: https://www.bhs.org.uk/media/ut0bfsix/2024-bhs-approvals-and-bhs-assessments-hat-guide-v2.pdf 

Jockey skull riding hats are mandatory for all BVM&S Equine Practical classes, whilst working with horses within the R(D)SVS Equine Hospital and out with R(D)SVS Practice Equine Veterinary Surgeons.  We strongly recommend that jockey skull hats are worn when students are out on EMS working with horses. If students are working on British Horse Society approved yards in the UK these Jockey skull riding hats will meet safety standards for working with horses in hand or under saddle.  

Y1/GEP Horse practicals and EMS

 

GEP Students: Where and when to buy

Recommended option:

Before your first practical classes in August, ensure you have all the necessary PPE as outlined above. We recommend purchasing these items in advance for pickup upon your arrival (unless you will be in Edinburgh several weeks before the GEP course begins).

Where to buy:

Our local supplier is Hewats of Edinburgh, who have been providing clothing for generations of veterinary students. Their contact details are listed below. You can pre-order items to be collected upon your arrival in Edinburgh.

Please inform Hewats that you are starting your studies with the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in August.

Hewats Edinburgh

 

Year 1 Students: Where to buy - two options

Option 1

Our local supplier is Hewats of Edinburgh, who have been providing clothing for generations of veterinary students. Their contact details are listed below. You can pre-order items to be collected upon your arrival in Edinburgh.

Option 2

Each year, the Student-Led Final Year Club (FYC) at the Vet School coordinates the purchase and delivery of clothing and books for incoming students. Once this service becomes available, FYC members will reach out to you with further details and arrangements.

This optional service, organised by students for students, offers a convenient alternative for those who prefer not to shop for their PPE themselves.

Please note: You are under no obligation to order from the FYC. If you prefer to source and purchase your own clothing, you are free to do so.

This article was published on