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Unique VET Festival will return for a second year
festival
Presentations are held in outdoor marquees rather than lecture theatres to create a fun, relaxed environment.

Noel Fitzpatrick offers a new approach to veterinary conferences
 
The one-of-a-kind VET Festival is set to return to Surrey for the second year in 2016. Created by the renowned neuro-orthopaedic veterinary surgeon, Noel Fitzpatrick, the event offers a unique approach to learning and networking.

At The VET Festival, which stands for Veterinary Education for Tomorrow, lectures are held outdoors in marquees, creating a relaxed 'festival' environment that is a far cry from traditional lecture theatres.

A festival party is also held to give delegates the chance to socialise and network in the evening. At the inaugural conference in September this year, the One Live music event was headlined by Mike and the Mechanics.

For the 2016 conference, organisers promise an all-new venue and an 'unrivalled' line-up of world class speakers, who will share practice advice that isn't available online or in textbooks, offering information that delegates in small animal practice can apply immediately in their working lives.

Professor Fitzpatrick said: "The VET Festival is an entirely revolutionary platform for veterinary education. It's fun, exciting, dynamic and will be an invaluable learning and global networking event.

"The VET Festival is a place where all those working in the veterinary industry can come together to share their passion, knowledge and experience and everything we signed up to when we entered the profession - for the greater good of the animals, medicine, society and the planet."

Presentations will be focused on five key themes: 'orthopaedics', 'neurology', 'soft tissue and oncology', 'veterinary nursing, nutrition and rehabilitation' and a new addition, 'veterinary business and team dynamics'.

The conference welcomes veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and practice support staff from the UK, Europe and further afield.

It will be held on 3-4 June, 2016 against the picturesque backdrop of Loseley Park Estate in Surrey. Before 31 December, delegate passes can be purchased for £116, a discount of 25 per cent. A package is also available that allows a group to attend with their practice manager.

 

Image provided by VET Festival

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.