Manchester CPD event for overseas graduates

We have joined forces again with the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) to offer a free day of continuing professional development (CPD) for overseas veterinary graduates either working in the UK or considering it, on Thursday 28 May 2015.

The free day will be followed on 29 May by a master class in communications skills, provided by the VDS, in a popular role-play format with professional actors, which will cost £160.

The two days combined will provide overseas vets with the necessary information and support needed to practise as a veterinary surgeon in the UK. Vets can also attend the two days separately.

In the year to 31 March 2015 we registered 939 overseas graduates – compared with 813 UK graduates. The top five countries from which veterinary surgeons graduated were Spain (199), Australia (94), Italy (93), Romania (74) and Ireland (73).

The ‘Introduction to the UK veterinary profession – an essential CPD course for overseas vets’ is aimed at overseas vets in their first two years in the UK and those considering working here.

All three organisations wish to reduce the risk that such veterinary surgeons may become the subject of a complaint, and to improve their UK experience and advance their communication skills.

The course also aims to help them understand their legal duties as a veterinary surgeon in the UK which can vary significantly from their own country.

The first day – ‘Key information and skills needed to practise as a vet in the UK’ – maps out how the UK veterinary profession is organised, and includes information about jobs, employment rights and the support available for when things go wrong.

Talks will be given by representatives from each of the three organising bodies, together with the Veterinary Benevolent Fund. In addition, Luis Sainz-Pardo from VetAbroad will provide ‘tips from an overseas vet who has survived’.

The second day, ‘A master class in communication skills’ goes through challenges in the consulting room and how to handle them. 

The course runs on 28-29 May at the Novotel Manchester West, Worsley Brow, Worsley, Manchester M28 2YA.