BSAVA has expanded its 2018 Congress programme to include more than 450 lectures from world-renowned speakers, a new ‘Beyond the Clinics’ personal development stream, and more practical, wet lab and small group sessions.

The four-day event, which takes two years to plan, is the largest in Europe dedicated to the provision of small animal veterinary CPD, and hopes to top the almost 50,000 hours of CPD delivered in 2017.

New stream announced
Alongside the packed scientific programme is the launch of ‘Beyond the Clinics’ on the final day (Sunday), a non-clinical series of lectures on physical and mental health, financial planning and other areas of personal development, alongside a Careers Diversity Fair – all of which counts towards CPD.

BSAVA President John Chitty said ‘Beyond the Clinics’ aims to create a vision of holistic support and encourage delegates to think more deeply about their career and personal development.

“We all live extremely busy lives and sometimes spending time on non-clinical skills or learning how to love your vocation can be secondary priorities, but if we are not functioning as people, we are not going to function as professionals,” he said.

“Congress is about both professional and personal development, so Beyond the Clinics is the perfect opportunity to help practitioners as individuals as well as veterinary professionals, to improve working lives, so we can all move forward in a healthier way.

“Whether it’s financial planning for the future, learning skills and techniques to keep calm, spotting colleagues in distress, or considering your career options, I hope delegates will join us to dedicate some time to looking after themselves as well as their career.”

Congress will also feature a canine brachycephalic stream highlighting the latest thinking and clinical advice, rounded off with an evidence-based discussion from key opinion leaders. A full social programme will be announced later this year.

Congress Programme Committee Chair Sue Murphy said: “Our dedicated volunteer vets and nurses have spent more than two years planning this extensive CPD timetable, which has been designed with something of interest to everyone working in small animal practice.

“Highlights in 2018 include the dynamic range of world-class speakers hailing from the USA, Netherlands, Australia and UK, an expanded practical and wet lab offering, and a new advanced veterinary practitioner stream for those looking to develop specialised skills and knowledge.”

The programme is available to view at www.bsavacongress.com and will be circulated in the September edition of BSAVA Companion.

Angharad Belcher, Head of Congress said: “2018 will see BSAVA and Congress continuing to innovate and provide exceptional CPD at great value for our members and the profession. The programme is the most comprehensive yet, and responds to delegate feedback on the most popular sessions.

“Delegates can gain up to 31 hours of CPD for a vet or up to 30 hours for a veterinary nurse over the four days, with Beyond the Clinics adding a new dimension to the CPD on offer. We have further news to share later this year, and we look forward to welcoming our delegates back to Birmingham in April.”

BSAVA Congress 2018 runs from April 5-8 at the ICC and Arena Birmingham (formerly Barclaycard Arena). Registration for Congress 2018 will open online towards the end of October.