BVA London Congress
19 July 2004
The political forum, part of the BVA's ongoing commitment to 'Giving Vets a Voice' starts on 1 October with a debate entitled 'Who will regulate the veterinary profession?' What would or could a new Veterinary Surgeons Act mean for the profession, which, through the RCVS, has regulated its own activities for 160 years? The next debate concerns veterinary education and asks 'Are we producing what the market wants?' Delegates will in particular be asked to consider the question, 'Is veterinary education too broad?' With the recent launch of the Government's Animal Health and Welfare strategy this session will provide delegates with the opportunity to discuss the veterinarian's role while the last session of the day, 'Getting a life' will address the increasingly important needs of achieving a work-life balance, with or without 24-hour cover.
Friday's seminar addresses Practice Management and includes sessions on working safely and complying with the law, financial management of a successful practice, practical risk assessment for beginners, using risk assessments to develop policy and financial planning and protection. Friday also features the prestigious Wooldridge Memorial Lecture, which is to be given by Sir Graeme Davies, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of London.
Saturday's debates commence with 'Vaccination: who are we protecting', topical given the ongoing interest in this subject in the small animal and consumer press. Are regular boosters more in the interests of vets and manufacturers than the animals themselves? The debate aims to examine the arguments and to identify what really is at stake. With the supply of veterinary medicines very much a 'moving playing field' at present, delegates will be asked to consider 'Prescribing: a veterinary preserve?' and 'Dispensing: does it matter'. With new European legislation likely to lead to a reclassification of veterinary medicines and with, as a result of the Competition Commission's inquiry, market forces unleashed, delegates will have an opportunity to hear from those both for and against the changes and to contribute to the ongoing development of BVA policy in this vitally important area. Another of Saturday's debates is entitled 'Veterinary nurses: overqualified and underpaid?' With a nationwide survey of veterinary nurses having indicated that their training is stressful and that, once qualified, their skills are inadequately recognised and underused, is the answer a new qualification or rather empowering VNs and ensuring proper pay?
Saturday's seminar is aimed at recent graduates and the programme has been compiled in conjunction with the Veterinary Defence Society. The morning will consist of a session entitled 'Controlling your destiny' including a recent graduate's perspective and ways in which the VDS can help and 'Improving your consultation technique'. For the afternoon a number of workshops have been organised covering inter-personnel communications, support within practice, career development and succession, inconsistencies in practice policies and 'the role of the BVA'.
Following the afternoon break seminar participants will join with those attending the political forum for the 'Great Expectations' debate. With the number of students entering veterinary school continuing to rise what future can they anticipate? How realistic is their image of the profession and can the reality ever live up to the ideal? It is intended that this session will be stimulated by the delegates and the outcomes from the parallel recent graduate session.
The BVA Congress Welcome Reception will be held from 6.00 pm on Thursday 30 September and will provide delegates with the opportunity to meet with colleagues, exhibitors and sponsors in a relaxed environment. This year for the first time, the President, Tim Greet will be able to welcome delegates and guests to Congress in the wonderful surroundings of the BVA's Georgian headquarters building. Drinks and canapés will be served.
The Awards Ceremony will begin at 5.30 pm on Friday 1 October in the auditorium of the Cavendish Conference Centre. Hosted by Tim Greet with guest speakers, a number of the BVA's annual awards will be presented during the course of the ceremony, which will be followed by the Congress Banquet. This year's venue is the East India Club, situated in the heart of the capital in St James's Square. Formed as a gentleman's club in the middle of the 19th century, the club retains the elegance of surroundings associated with a bygone age combined with sumptuous dining facilities.
Saturday 2 October is Party night, an informal gathering at the unsurprisingly architecturally stunning Royal Institute of British Architects. The evening includes a buffet dinner, drinks and the show-stopping band 'Casa Del Funk' with their trademark mix of seventies funk and Latin rhythms. A perfect way to wind up the Congress weekend for those unable to attend the Sunday morning AGM.
BVA Congress provides a unique opportunity for veterinary surgeons to make their views known. The debates at BVA Congress help to shape BVA policy and with Government and European decisions continuing to have an impact on the profession at every level, Congress provides an important opportunity for the profession to influence developments that will affect it directly.
Notes for Editors:
- For further information on Congress, for which members of the media are offered free registration please contact Chrissie Nicholls or Helena Cotton in the BVA Press Office on 020 7636 6541 or email chrissien@bva.co.uk.
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