The overwhelming message in chief veterinary officer (CVO) Christine Middlemiss’s opening address at the OV Conference last year was one of gratitude to official veterinarians (OVs) working across all areas of the profession. The 2023 OV Conference aims to build on that gratitude and celebrate the role of the OV in all its forms.
As always, everything on the programme is tailored towards the continuing professional development (CPD) of OVs. However, this doesn’t mean only OVs can come along or benefit from the presentations on offer!
In a programme jam-packed with content, from avian influenza updates to imposter syndrome and digital innovation in the veterinary practice, there is something for everyone in the veterinary profession at the OV Conference Online 2023.
| Don’t miss out! To sign up for the OV Conference 2023, head over to the website now. |
Opening address and keynote speaker
Christine Middlemiss will kickstart day one of the conference once again with an opening address that will be immediately followed by a presentation from this year’s keynote speaker, RSPCA CVO Caroline Allen. Caroline will give delegates an insight into how modern welfare science is helping the RSPCA hear “the voice of the animal” and how this in turn can help vets in general practice.
The programme
The OV Conference wouldn’t be the OV Conference without the usual themes of notifiable diseases, tuberculosis (TB) testing and exports. The programme can always be trusted to inform OVs of the latest news and developments in each of these areas.
The OV Conference wouldn’t be the OV Conference without the usual themes of notifiable diseases, tuberculosis (TB) testing and exports
Day one
The main focus of day one is notifiable diseases, with Ashley Banyard providing an update on high pathogenicity avian influenza in the UK and – in the face of the continuing devastating outbreak – asking, “Will it ever end?”
Following this, Ian Wright and John McGiven will give presentations on the increasing threat posed by Brucella canis and how risks to public health can be minimised.
Aidan Dryden will then consider the approaching extinction of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), stressing the importance of maintaining awareness of this epidemic disease across the profession.
Day two
Day two is the TB day! This year, delegates will benefit from an extended policy update session in the morning, during which experts from the devolved nations will present the latest TB-related news and information from England, Scotland and Wales.
After this, Richard Ellis will look at the use of pathogen genomics to understand disease transmission, and Adrian McGoldrick will give a much-anticipated update on the cattle vaccine trial.
In what promises to be a fascinating session to round off the TB updates, Jason Sawyer and Simon Marshall will outline the theory behind PCR testing and lay out the plans for future use in confirming TB in cattle.
Day three
On day three, the focus shifts to exports, starting with City of London Corporation senior OV Carlos Gracia giving an insight into the work of OVs at the border control post.
Later in the day, experienced product exports OV Ioana Dobre will talk delegates through the journey of a product as it goes “from farm to fork”, and Jan Rogers of The Horse Trust will give an overview of the challenges of digital identification and border crossings for horses.
Gideon Smit, Hanne Mohan and Mary-Anne Frank will host an interactive Q&A about animal health certificates in what is sure to be a popular final session.
What else should I look out for?
Interspersed among the above presentations will be additional talks on welfare, OV regulation, data management and the role of public sector veterinarians.
Katie Ford, experienced small animal vet and RCVS Inspiration Award winner, will talk delegates through the effects of imposter syndrome in the veterinary profession and beyond. She will offer evidence-based and actionable strategies and insights to help delegates navigate their own experiences of this phenomenon.
Veterinary head of OV regulatory affairs, Sue Quinney, a familiar name to many OVs, will speak about the important work carried out by APHA to regulate the OV role under the Policy for Authorisation and maintain trust in the OV system.
Interspersed among the above presentations will be additional talks on welfare, OV regulation, data management and the role of public sector veterinarians
Steve Joslyn, founder of Vedi, considers the journey from “paper chaos” to “digital certainty” in the veterinary profession, particularly in the realm of official documentation and certification. He explores ways in which efficiency, accuracy and trust in veterinary healthcare data can be achieved.
In a long and eclectic career, Neil Smith has had extensive experience in public sector work. During this year’s OV Conference, he will reflect on the professional and organisational challenges of being a veterinarian working in the public sector or in an OV role.
Delegates will be pleased to hear that each of the sessions over the three days will be moderated by returning conference chair Andrew Carrington!
All-new lunchtime sessions
A new feature of the 2023 OV Conference is the lunchtime schedule. Giving delegates an opportunity to exercise both their mind and body, Olivia Oginska from Human-Savvy and Chloe Hannigan from VetYogi have prepared some bite-sized sessions that will run during the lunch break for those who would like to join.
The platform
Tickets can be bought on the conference platform, and the conference space is immediately accessible after purchase, allowing delegates to explore and view the latest information as it is updated in the lead-up to the event.
As usual, presentations will be streamed via Zoom, and delegates can ask questions of speakers using the Q&A panel during live sessions. Delegates can also make use of the discussion forum to network with colleagues and speakers.
The conference space is immediately accessible after purchase, allowing delegates to explore and view the latest information as it is updated
Support will be available in the case of any technical issues, and all presentations will be recorded. Recordings will be available to watch within two working days of the live sessions and will remain on the OV Conference platform for at least six months after the event.
There are up to 18 hours of CPD available from the 2023 OV Conference. At the end of each day, delegates can complete a short feedback questionnaire to access and download their digital CPD certificate.
Sponsors and supporters
The OV Conference Online 2023 is grateful for the support of numerous organisations:
- Breakthrough
- ProvetCloud (NordHealth)
- VetSurgeon.org
- VetNurse.co.uk
- Improve Veterinary Practice
- ISVPS
