Graduate reunions providing Code refresher for new grads

The Veterinary Defence Society (VDS), in partnership with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and supported by other key veterinary organisations, is running a series of Graduate Reunions over the upcoming months.

These reunions, aimed at vets who qualified in the UK or Ireland in 2018, are held at graduates’ corresponding vet schools and provide an opportunity for CPD and a Code of Conduct refresher.

The events enable attendees to connect with veterinary professionals and experts, gaining tailored advice and support. They are also an ideal opportunity for new vets to catch up with each other, discuss what experiences they may have shared in their first year of working and hone their non-clinical skills.

The day is led by a member of the VDS Training team. In addition to this, representatives from the following veterinary organisations will be in attendance to answer graduate questions:

• Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
• British Veterinary Association (BVA)
• British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA)
• British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA)
• The Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS)
• Veterinary Management Group (VMG)
• Vetlife

Graduates will also be treated to a series of performances by professional actors posing as clients and vets, giving them an opportunity to improve their practice by drawing on their own experiences in a fun, interactive and non–confrontational setting.

In addition to this, the day will include a number of discussions around the difference between negligence and misconduct, being asked to falsify documents, out of hours work, aggressive clients, and making mistakes, where various representatives will be called upon for their expertise.

“The VDS Graduate Reunion Day is always worthwhile, providing a fantastic opportunity to not only catch up with friends and share stories from practice, but also to develop new skills. The actors play out realistic (and amusing) scenarios which stimulate discussion about a wide range of issues, with the graduates being able to discuss things, get advice from a range of senior figures and share their experiences in a safe space. The last event featured conversations about personal safety, lone working policies, contracts, OOH and informed consent among others,” says RCVS President, Niall Connell.

The upcoming reunions are scheduled as follows:

• University of Nottingham – Saturday 5 October
• University of Liverpool – Saturday 26 October
• University of Cambridge Veterinary School – Saturday 2 November
• University College Dublin – Saturday 16 November
• University of Bristol – Saturday 23 November
• The University of Edinburgh – Saturday 7 December

The day’s workshop awards seven hours of CPD (which is equivalent to 5 Continuing Veterinary Education credits for UCD). The events are followed by a dinner and some drinks, then a ceilidh/ disco to which attendees can bring a partner for an additional cost.

Tickets can be reserved by contacting the VDS Training Team at [email protected]. Tickets cost £75.

More information on these reunions can be found on the VDS website.