Key event to develop a vision of veterinary life in 2020

The RCVS and members of the veterinary profession will be developing a vision of what the future may hold for the profession at a one-day symposium to be held on 16 June 2006.

The event, called 'Postcards from the Future', will be attended by key members of the veterinary profession and others with a stake in its future, to discuss what challenges they might be facing in 2020, and how the profession may develop to meet these needs.

A series of thought-provoking speakers will be tackling a range of subjects including what the practice of tomorrow will look like, what the veterinary team will comprise, what advances will be made in veterinary science and what animal owners will demand in 2020, to help develop a vision of the future.

Paired speakers on each subject will be giving a variety of views on the future and then taking questions from the floor, to gain a wider perspective on veterinary life.

Part of the objective of the symposium is to build on the RCVS Survey of the Profession. Carried out earlier this year, the survey asked members what they're doing now and what they anticipate doing in five year's time.

The results of the survey will provide a benchmark from which to discuss where the profession is now, and where it might be heading.

Speaking on the results of the survey, Lynne Hill, RCVS President, said:
"It is important to view the survey of today's profession, and where it estimates itself to be in five years, against the context of where we would like to be in the future. 

"Amongst the many interesting results, we have seen that practices are adapting to the changing needs of their clients, and this is positive news. The findings throw up interesting trends and it is important that we use this information to help shape the profession that we want."

"Building on this, the symposium will be an exciting and interesting day, with contributions from a range of key stakeholders within the profession who all share similar challenges, enabling us to learn from each other and hopefully provide the veterinary profession with a positive outlook for 2020," commented Mrs Hill.

A full report from the day will be available online and key points communicated to the profession and the wider public after the event.

Attendance to the event is by invitation only but there are a small number of places available.  Space is limited, so please register your interest  as soon as possible with  Fiona Clark, Communications Officer, on (020) 7202 0773 or by email to [email protected]

ENDS

For more information, please contact:
Lizzie Lockett (020 7202 0725) [email protected]
External Affairs Department
RoyalCollegeof Veterinary Surgeons

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The RCVS is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the UK and deals with issues of professional misconduct, maintaining the register of veterinary surgeons eligible to practise in the UK and assuring standards of veterinary education. It also has a 'Royal College' role, which means that it is responsible for post-graduate educational and veterinary nursing qualifications.