Congress Programme 2023

Synopsis

How do you break through the noise and stand out as an employer of choice; one where people actively seek you out and pick you ahead of the crowd? How do those who find recruiting straightforward really do it? Waiting until you need to recruit is a high-risk strategy.

In this session Adrian will equip you with insights, hints and tips on how to use a wide range of tools in your recruiting. Using data taken from the VSGD community of over 20,000 people, he’ll show you the key features of the ideal job advert, how to increase engagement with your recruitment activities and how to build employer ‘brand’ over time.

Learning outcomes

1. List the top five employment needs of the veterinary audience
2. Identify and design a strategy for using three key networking tools
3. Write a recruitment plan that leverages your whole team.

Synopsis

The veterinary profession is increasingly unable to sustain itself. 37% of vets are actively thinking about leaving the profession. The mental ill-health crisis, coupled with increasing feminisation, means that flexible working is urgently needed to create a sustainable workforce for the future. There is a strong need to establish healthy working practices. When asked what one thing vets would change about their current job, working hours came in first place.

So, what can be done about this? Flexible workability in clinical practice is key to creating a more engaged and sustainable workforce. Personalised work flexibility helps workers to fulfil their individual responsibilities and may result in improved work-life balance.

Silvia Janska will be joined by Rachel Ryle, NHS Flexible Lead to consider the many ways in which working more flexibly benefits individuals, builds unified teams, sustains a profitable business, and ensures happy patients. The follow-on workshop session shares learnings and explores solutions to overcoming the main barriers to flexible working.

Learning outcomes

1. Discuss the challenges of implementing flexible working in clinical practice
2. Discover what the veterinary profession can learn from the NHS about flexible working
3. Recognise how research about flexible working can be turned into action in practice

Synopsis

Jack Peploe exclusively brings to SPVS a PMS report like no other. Hear first-hand Jack’s finding’s following the release of the State of the PMS report. Join Jack and discover what’s out there, what shows promise, the process of reviewing your PMS and most importantly, how to identify when it’s time to change.

Learning outcomes

1. Understand the state of play of the PMS market
2. Where does evidence support promise for today and future success
3. Questions you need to ask and not presume
4. How to conduct your own PMS review

Synopsis

The conception, birth and evolution of every veterinary practice is different. Each of the 7 start-up practices Vetcentric’s Brian Faulkner has been involved in has had their own dramas, surprises and stresses – almost all of which could have been avoided if he’d have anticipated them! That’s not to say, that the practices haven’t been successful, but when he reflects on each and asks “If I had to do that one all over again what would I have done differently?”, there is usually at least one thing, he’d change. Join Brian for this session to find out what and how!

Learning outcomes

1. Location! Location! Location!
2. How not to deal with landlords and planning permission
3. How not to deal with renovations and trades people
4. How not to deal with non-clinical suppliers
5. How not to deal with clinical suppliers
6. When and how not to recruit colleagues
7. How not to market your new practice

Synopsis

Do you wish you could persuade more clients to take up a particular health plan option? Ever wondered how you get prospective clients to really feel the added value that warrants your premium fee structure? Ever wished you could get your promotions to be noticed more? The truth is that these, and many other things, can be and are influenced by small things which drive behaviour subconsciously – and these are likely not the things that you would think of!

Consumer psychology is a fast-developing academic field which is being applied more and more to drive behaviour change, for example in the commercial world and government initiatives. Join this session to learn how you can apply consumer psychology principles to make sure your clients think and feel exactly what you intend them to about your practice. Learn how to drive your clients to do the right thing for them and their pets.

Learning outcomes

1. Learn the basic principles of consumer psychology which are most relevant to clinical practice
2. Understand some the key heuristics and biases that subconsciously drive people’s behaviour and decision making
3. See how this knowledge can be simply and practically applied to pretty much any aspect of clinical practice

Synopsis

For better or worse, leaders are the source of workplace culture; however, the specific leadership actions that directly affect culture have not been properly identified in veterinary practices. In 2021 VetX International Leadership and Culture Study was performed to determine if leadership practices, commonly identified as important factors in building workplace culture, have a measurable impact in the vet practice setting.

In this session, Dr Dave Nicol shares the findings & zeros in on four critical leadership activities those concerned with culture should focus on to improve results.

Learning outcomes

1. Build awareness of the link between culture and practice performance
2. Learn four important leadership activities and how they measurably improve culture
3. Assess their own practice performance in each of these areas in order to formulate an action plan to improve culture

Synopsis

Do you want to have a happy and motivated team? One that is full of energy, enthusiasm and passion for their work? How much time do you focus on creating this and the conditions that enable this for your team? And how does that compare to the amount of time and energy you focus on creating this for yourself?

Does this seem an impossible task-work commitments, other people’s needs and demands take priority, there is always something that prevents you from focusing on your own energy levels, your time and your ability to thrive. In this session we will focus on how you can take back control and think about the elements needed so you can thrive as a leader of your team, no matter what else is happening or what you are being asked to do.

Learning outcomes

1. Identify what you need present (and omitted!) to thrive in your role
2. Learn how to take practical steps to create the working environment that enables you to thrive at work
3. Identify boundaries, support networks and strategies to be the role model you want and need to be to lead your team positively and with energy now and in the future

Synopsis

Have you felt like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, that everything is down to you, that no one else cares or understands? When you are ‘The Leader’ it can feel very lonely.

It need not be this way and, through building a culture of leadership, connecting with others and delegating responsibility, formal leadership roles do not have to be lonely. You can feel part of, not apart from, the team.

This lecture will explore loneliness and isolation in leadership, how re-assessment of what ‘leadership’ means can help with connection and togetherness in the workplace. It will examine the how, and why, of shared leadership to promote healthy and effective work.

Learning outcomes

1. Distinctions between leaders and leadership
2. Why leaders can feel lonely
3. How leadership can be shared

Synopsis

What makes a great day in practice? This was the question posed to the whole team in practice at the Park Vet Group, as part of their commitment to maximising mental well-being and also optimise team working. Join Natalie Granger and Pete Orpin, as they talk through the workshops held and how Metaplan was used to capture the thoughts and feelings of the teams.

Through this process, the whole practice were empowered and engaged in understanding what the factors were and what was within their power, to create a great day at work.

Learning outcomes

1. How to use Metaplan to help engage teams
2. How workshop format in practice can help identify the real issues and solutions
3. Building team relationships by group work and discussion

Synopsis

Change, and change leadership, is notoriously hard and the mythology is that many change initiatives fail. This lecture will examine that narrative and seek to explore its truths, misunderstandings, and the realities of change in different systems and circumstances. It will explore how to create environments for effective, meaningful and sustained change which benefits multiple stakeholders. It will consider the psychology of change and how to help those caught in the messy and uncomfortable swirl navigate to calmer waters without either drowning or swimming to shore.

Learning outcomes

1. What is change and why is it conceived as ‘hard’?
2. How is changed achievable in complex, interconnected systems?
3. How to ensure changes are sustained.

Synopsis

Like all successful entrepreneurs Jamie is Mr Positive – both in work and life in general – but life isn’t always plain sailing. Jamie will explore how he believes his positive world view has enabled him to overcome and succeed when faced with the most dire business situations. And, how each experience has built his inner resilience.

Wellbeing is more important than ever, and everyone in the vet industry needs to nurture it. Positive feedback loops can alleviate those key areas of stress for you and let you pay it forward in kind to your team. Fostering a positive mindset and work culture, ultimately leads to better growth and customer service for your business. A win, win, win.

Learning outcomes

1. How you can cultivate resilience through positivity
2. Proactively help your team with positive feedback loops
3. Boost your business decision-making skills

Synopsis

Difficult dialogues are the crucial part of the everyday life of a veterinary clinic. Bad prognosis, negative feedback, managing incivility – these are just the examples of the challenging conversations that significantly impact team’s psychological safety, as well as the financial success of the clinic. For most veterinary professionals, such interactions can be a daunting challenge. This session will introduce the topic of emotional intelligence, present its practical application in a veterinary setting and teach how to use EQ to improve communication and create a healthy workplace culture.

Learning outcomes

Delegates will discover, understand and put into practice:

1. The impact of communication and positive social connections on the psychological safety of the veterinary team
2. The mechanism behind the “crucial conversations”
3. The elements of emotional intelligence
4. The practical use of emotional intelligence in a veterinary setting
5. The role of emotional intelligence in managing difficult conversations
6. The ways to expand EQ and become human-savvy in communication with peers, leaders and clients – to be practiced in the workshop

Synopsis

Whether organising your diary, an operating list or co-ordinating a busy hospital, effective priority management can prevent yourself and colleagues becoming overwhelmed, and patient safety being compromised.

Priority management includes identifying and prioritising goals, identifying the time and resources required to achieve these, and ensuring that they are completed in a timely manner. In this interactive lecture we will explore how to achieve this in the dynamic, ultra-adaptive environment of veterinary practice.

We will also consider the cognitive capabilities and limitations associated with being human, to ensure that we remain rational and efficient in the face of high pressure, emergency and stressful situations.

Learning outcomes

1. To understand the concept of priority management
2. To explore the importance of effective decision making in dynamic and ultra-adaptive environments
3. To consider the practical and effective application of priority management tools

Synopsis

This lecture will explore how, as social animals, humans are incredibly effective at detecting and mirroring the emotions, feelings and behaviours expressed by those around them, particularly those in leadership.

From exploring ways in which your leadership may be seen and understood by yourself and others, e.g., by use of tests and measures, the lecture will move on to examine of the importance of role modelling and self-leadership. Emphasis will be placed on awareness, motivation, development and self-care.

Learning outcomes

1. How to explore your leadership identity
2. How self-leadership impacts others
3. The importance of self-regulation and self-care.

Synopsis

One of SPVS key aims is to help the next generation of veterinary professionals move forward in veterinary practice. However, it seems more and more skilled people are leaving practice due to a lack of a clearly identified career path.

Join Pete Orpin, SPVS Chair of the Board, and a panel representing both independent practices and larger veterinary groups, for a positive sharing of ideas as to how we can help articulate better career prospects to those in practice and prevent key talent from moving on. What is it that they have done right to retain and progress team members and how can this work for you?

Learning outcomes

1. How to optimise job satisfaction in practice
2. How to improve career development in practice
3. How to articulate these prospects to enhance retention

Synopsis

Veterinary students on RCVS accredited programmes need to complete 38 weeks of Extra-Mural Studies (EMS) as part of their programme, across the five years of study. EMS presents students with the opportunity to gain experience and practise skills in a wide range of workplace settings, consolidating their learning and providing them with unique insight into the profession.

The value of EMS to students cannot be underestimated; many new graduates have indicated that EMS is one of the most useful parts of their degree in preparing them for their first role as a vet. However, the implementation of EMS presents many challenges for all stakeholders involved, including the costs, inequality of access to some students and significant variation in the quality of experiences – both from the perspective of the students and the providers.

Following wide stakeholder engagement by RCVS, the proposals for the future implementation of EMS, which aim to address the challenges, will be presented and discussed.

Learning outcomes

1. Attendees will gain an understanding of the value EMS provides, in addition to the challenges faced by different stakeholder groups
2. Attendees will gain insight into the initiatives currently under development by the RCVS to support the implementation of EMS, including a national EMS database and online information hub
3. Attendees will be presented with the proposals for the future implementation of EMS, which has been developed following extensive stakeholder engagement and feedback, and how these aim to ensure the sustainability of EMS for the future and help address the challenged faced

Synopsis

An interactive, hands on session where participants will take on the roles of those involved in the significant event, contributing to the discussion and identify contributing factors in a non-accusatory way. The session will also reflect on in-practice time restrictions and working through these.

Learning outcomes

1. An understanding of what is a significant event audit and what is an morbidity and mortality round
2. An overview of the structure involved for a positive significant event discussion
3. How a significant event audit can improve staff wellbeing as well as patient care

Synopsis

Following the lecture with the same title, this workshop will allow participants to put the newly acquired knowledge into practice. You will be guided through the examples of difficult conversations, including passing poor prognosis to your client, giving and asking for feedback, reporting incivility as a victim, managing conflict as a leader, discussing mental health and delicate personal issues with peers, giving and asking for appreciation, raising patient safety concerns and more.

Learning outcomes

1. Properly recognise and prepare for the challenging interactions
2. Use empathy and compassion while protecting their own dignity and mental health
3.  Apply non-violent communication to safely and successfully carry out the “crucial conversations” – when stakes are high and emotions are on the rise.

Synopsis

“The future is already here – it’s just not evenly distributed.” William Gibson, The Economist, December 4, 2003.

The veterinary profession is increasingly unable to sustain itself. 37% of vets are actively thinking about leaving the profession. There is also a mental ill-health crisis where 74% of vets are concerned about stress and burnout. This, coupled with the continual feminisation, mean that changes, including flexible working, are urgently needed. There is a strong need to establish healthy working practices. But how? Role-modelling flexible working; navigating team conversations to understand everyone’s needs; managing the jigsaw of different working patterns; attracting and retaining talent. Join the workshop to find solutions to these problems. This follows on from the earlier session on flexible working highlighting the challenges of implementing flexible working and shares learnings from the NHS.

Learning outcomes

Participants will learn how to:

1. Discuss the key requirements fair and inclusive flexible working practices
2. Discover solutions to the top three barriers to flexible working in clinical practice
3. Create a checklist to implement flexible working in clinical practice

Synopsis

This workshop aims to help delegates take the next steps beyond setting sustainability ambitions and targets, and dig into the specifics of how to achieve them in a busy working practice.

The session will help practice teams to implement sustainability initiatives which have the biggest impacts in terms of resource efficiency and lasting change. By working through some real-life scenarios, delegates will understand how to identify and implement actions which will produce the greatest reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and waste volumes. Delegates will consciously appreciate the human variables and practical problems which affect standard processes and anticipate common obstacles or concerns that they might face, to find workable solutions. This workshop will provide a deeper understanding of how to work with existing systems to produce positive environmental and social outcomes.

Learning outcomes

1.  To feel confident about integrating sustainability measures into existing systems and processes to produce positive outcomes with minimal friction
2. To understand how to measure resource consumption and identify patterns and areas for change
3. To appreciate the key challenges when implementing sustainability measures and start identifying solutions ahead of time.

Synopsis

We’re delighted to have the inaugural BIG 6 LIVE here at SPVS Congress 2023.

Join these industry heavy weights for an unmissable session tackling the much-considered topic of under care, along with their own, varied viewpoints on technology in practice, the ownership and leadership of future practices, working patterns and payment models.

We’ll be including a Q&A session at the end, so come prepared with your own questions on these key issues facing the veterinary industry.

Synopsis

Join retired vet and sea kayak adventurer Rupert Kirkwood as he shares his experiences as a farm vet living in Devon and the activities and interests outside of his working environment which have strongly influence his approach to being a vet and his life in general.

His light-hearted photo and video-led talk will culminate with some major wildlife encounters, up close and personal. Finishing with what has been described as the greatest marine megafauna encounter ever around the UK.