Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

VET Festival announces 2020 lineup
Delegates will be able to collect some 14 hours of CPD

Two-day learning event will foster education and development

A variety of outstanding speakers and education streams have been announced to be included in VET Festival 2020, which aims to combine continuing professional development (CPD) with a relaxed, ‘festival’ environment.

The speakers this year include Dr Aldo Vezzoni, a European specialist in small animal surgery; Dr Peter Southerden, a European and RCVS specialist in veterinary dentistry and Rachel Lumbis, a lecturer in veterinary nursing at the Royal Veterinary College. Speakers from outside the profession will also feature including paralympic champion Rachel Morris MBE, and mindfulness leadership specialist, Natalie Pennicotte-Collier.

The festival encourages the sharing of knowledge and perspectives among veterinary professionals and 135 lectures will be offered across the weekend to suit people at every level of clinical practice.

Eighteen separate education streams are planned to feature in the festival, including dermatology, dentistry, ophthalmology and endoscopy, along with a new ‘top tips’ stream, which will offer practical advice for immediate use in clinical practice.

Other events, activities and services on offer over the weekend are an arena where delegates can engage in practical sessions to improve their general well-being, including yoga and mindfulness; The Family Hub, which allows delegates with children to attend the festival and gain CPD hours and a party night on the Friday, where attendees can enjoy a relaxed and fun evening with their peers.

Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, who conceived and launched VET Festival in 2015, commented: “Outdoor festivals bring joy to the soul and I have always wanted education and continuing professional development to feel uplifting, inclusive and life-enhancing, both professionally and from a personal wellness perspective.”

VET Festival takes place from 5-6 June 2020 in Loseley Park, Guildford, Surrey.

Image (c) VET Festival

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.