BEVA Congress is taking place at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham from 11 to 14 September 2019. The congress is the equine veterinary event of the year and presents the perfect opportunity to get together with colleagues and top up on CPD. We have put together the top 10 highlights for the event this year.
1. A packed scientific programme
The 2019 scientific programme has been put together by the BEVA 2019 Scientific Committee, chaired by Jonathon Dixon, and covers almost every aspect of clinical practice. With discussions on the latest developments in equine medicine, updates on common clinical challenges and small group workshops, a wide variety of topics will be put under the spotlight throughout the congress.
2. Keeping the sports horse on the road
Advanced imaging has helped to increase our knowledge of the many different causes of equine lameness; however, the treatment and management of lameness syndromes still present problems for equine practitioners. Therefore, the BEVA 2019 programme will bring vets, farriers and physio-therapists together for a full day looking at keeping competition and leisure horses at the top of their game.
The sessions will involve discussions over how a collaborative approach can lead to better outcomes in patients and will be led by leading names including BEF team vet Andre Buthe and lameness expert Sue Dyson, as well as leading farriers Haydn Price and Pat Reilly.
3. Scavenge around the exhibition
Packed with more than 100 stands, the BEVA Congress exhibition hall is a favourite congress location for networking, socialising, eating and drinking. This year, with the chance to win a whopping £1,000 cash prize, it’s likely to be more popular than ever.
Using the BEVA Congress app, delegates simply have to follow the clues to find the answers to a series of clinical conundrums hidden round the exhibition hall. The highest ranked player at the end of the congress will win £1,000.
4. Unrivalled socials
The BEVA 2019 Welcome Reception has an Oktoberfest theme and will be held at the Bierkeller, Birmingham. Taking place on Wednesday evening, it offers delegates the opportunity to catch up with each other whilst joining in some fun with our live Oompah band. On the Friday, the infamous annual dinner and dance will be held at the ICC. With a delicious three-course meal followed by a lot of dancing, it is the social event not to be missed.
For the early morning risers, RunBEVA provides an opportunity to stretch your legs and get yourself ready for a day of lectures. And if you need a little more persuasion, for the first time, Bequestrian will be offering all runners a goody bag this year.
5. 15th birthday celebrations
The Animal Health Trust (AHT) is joining BEVA at congress for a big 15th birthday party this year. The two organisations are celebrating the longevity and success of their collaboration with Defra to produce the Equine Quarterly Disease Surveillance Reports.
The AHT will be joining BEVA in the members’ lounge for the duration of the congress, to showcase their work. In addition, BEVA will be presenting the AHT with a certificate of appreciation for all their hard work to keep the equine veterinary profession fully informed about disease status.
6. Meet BEVA Council
The BEVA members’ lounge will be back in the registration area this year, giving delegates the opportunity to catch up with the BEVA team to answer any membership queries and find out about BEVA CPD planned in 2020. Renate Weller, Tim Mair and Lucy Grieve will be in the members’ lounge on Thursday between 5pm and 5:30pm to chat with members and discuss the year ahead.
7. Recruitment and retention of vets
As part of the 2019 programme, there is an afternoon session dedicated to looking at the recruitment and retention issues in the veterinary profession. Vets will share their perspectives, BEVA will introduce their new career coaching pilot scheme, Leg Up, and Renate Weller will present the results of the BEVA BSAVA Recruitment and Retention Survey.
8. Practical demonstration area
Back again for 2019, the BEVA practical demonstration area will give delegates the opportunity to take part in practical-based CPD.
In a wet-lab environment, delegates will have the opportunity to take part in wound repair, intra-articular analgesia, distal limb ultrasound and dentistry. The demonstrations start with a vet demonstrating the technique and are fol-lowed by small group teaching sessions.
Full details can be found on the scientific programme and a sign-up form will be available in the exhibition hall for delegates who wish to take part.
9. Nursing stream
Saturday at BEVA 2019 welcomes the dedicated nursing stream, which is specifically designed for veterinary nurses. Featuring specialist surgeons and medics from around the world, nurses will be brought up to date on topics including foals, colics, lameness and diagnostic imaging.
10. Telemedicine: friend or foe?
The Moral Maze this year will debate the pros and cons of telemedicine, including communications between client and vet as well as vet-to-vet. There are many methods of communication, including telephone, SMS, WhatsApp, Snapchat and even Facebook. Can we justify turning our phones off, and what provisions do we need to make when we do?
The debate team includes Jonathan Pycock, Simon Stämpfli, Huw Griffiths, Marianna Biggi, Victoria Johnson, Niall Connell, Phil Cramp and Sarah Taylor.
