Around 900 vets and nurses from all over the globe are set to gather in Leeds this week, 7 to 8 November 2024, for the highly anticipated ECC Congress, organised by Vets Now.
This unique event, dedicated solely to emergency and critical care (ECC) in the veterinary field, promises to deliver over 70 hours of cutting-edge CPD for veterinary professionals at all stages of their careers.
The 2024 ECC Congress will bring together internationally-renowned speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities.
This year’s programme, designed by leading industry figures including Racheal Marshall, RVN and Head of Nursing Standards at Vets Now, and Simon Hagley, ECC Specialist and Clinical Director at Vets Now Manchester, offers a blend of clinical and non-clinical sessions across six learning streams.
Helen Ballantyne, specialist transplant nurse and chair of the UK One Health Coordination Group, will headline the event as keynote speaker, is joined at the event by Ken Yagi, former program director of Cornell University’s CPR simulation lab, who will present an update on the much-anticipated newly released RECOVER CPR guidelines.
Among the highlights of this year’s Congress is a panel discussion on complex critical cases, led by Ken Yagi, Ashton Hollwarth, and Helen Wilson, offering delegates insight into real-life challenges and clinical decision-making processes. Aoife Reid, an advanced practitioner, will lead a session exploring contextualised care, encouraging critical thinking and flexibility in emergency scenarios.
In line with Vets Now’s commitment to interactive learning, this year’s Congress features expanded nursing streams running across both days, hands-on workshops, and the return of popular sessions such as ‘Controversies’ and ‘Joined Up Thinking’. The newly introduced ‘Catastrophic case conversations’ stream is already creating a buzz among delegates, promising engaging advanced discussions on handling the most severe cases.
Racheal Marshall emphasised the importance of this interactive approach, saying: “We’ve built the 2024 programme to be even more practical and engaging, with opportunities for delegates to directly interact with speakers and actively participate in discussions. It’s designed to offer something for everyone, whether you’re a student, a new graduate, or a seasoned specialist.”
Beyond clinical expertise, the Congress will also address essential non-clinical skills such as communication and self-care. Racheal Marshall commented: “It’s not just about technical skills in ECC – the ability to manage your time in high pressure scenarios, support your colleagues, and look after yourself is equally crucial. These sessions are a great opportunity to dive into those areas that are vital for a successful ECC career.”
As always, Congress is not just about learning. Delegates can look forward to an evening of fun at the much-loved Gala Dinner on Thursday, with a party theme of the 1990s. In addition, there will be opportunities for mindfulness and relaxation through VetYogi sessions and a morning running club.
A growing event for ECC professionals
The ECC Congress, established by Vets Now in 2004, continues to grow and evolve, now recognised as one of Europe’s largest and most prestigious ECC events. With opportunities for veterinary professionals to network, exchange ideas, and advance their careers, the event remains at the forefront of veterinary education.
Tickets are selling fast, and those attending are encouraged to make the most of the wide range of lectures, forums, debates, and interactive workshops available. New this year is the option for delegates to download Congress recordings, ensuring access to valuable content long after the event.
You find out more information on the Vets Now ECC Congress 2024 or to book tickets here.
