MerlinVet-cel Professional Development Day
October 1, 2024
MERLINVET-CEL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY
Thursday 24th October 2024
Celtic Manor Resort, Wales
On Thursday 24th October 2024, MerlinVet-cel will be hosting a CPD Day at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales. The event will run from 09.00 - 17.00 with the morning playing host to clinical sessions, while the afternoon will focus on business operations.
We understand how busy practice staff can be, so you are welcome to attend the full day, or pick and choose the sessions which interest you most between the clinical morning sessions and business afternoon sessions. MSD will be leading the morning clinical sessions, with the first being small animal-based focussing on their new Bravecto Injection for Dogs. The other is large animal-focussed with an introduction to the Bovilis Cryptium Vaccine. Hazlewoods LLP Accountants will lead the first afternoon business session on practice accounts, followed by HR specialists, WorkNest, looking at Health & Safety issues within practice.
Please register your interest to attend as soon as possible by emailing either Jon Baker (jon@merlinvetcel.com) or Donald Ramsay (donald@merlinvetcel.com).
This event is open to both members and non-members from independent practices.
Proposed Agenda
08.30 Delegates arrive - welcome coffee
09.00 - 10.30 Clinical Session 1 - Small Animal: Bravecto Injection in Dogs by MSD
Speaker: Sian Stockford, Companion Animal Technical Lead
10.30 Break
10.45 - 12:00 Clinical Session 2 - Large Animal: Large Animal Bovilis Cryptuim Vaccine by MSD
Speaker: Kat Baxter-Smith, Ruminant Business Unit Veterinary Advisor
12.00 - 14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 15.00 Business Session 1: Hazlewoods LLP Accountants, Practice Accounts
Speaker: Mark Harwood, Partner, Hazlewoods
15.00 Break
15.15 - 16.15 Business Session 2: WorkNest, Health & Safety
Speaker: Andrew Hall, Health & Safety Consultant, WorkNest
16.15 - 17.00 MerlinVet-cel Q&A
Speakers
Kat Baxter-Smith BVetMed CertAVP(EM) MRCVS, Ruminant Business Unit Veterinary Advisor, MSD
Kat graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 2010. She worked in mixed practices (equine and farm animal) in the UK for 7 years and completed an advanced certificate in large animal and equine internal medicine. She has been with MSD for 7 years, firstly as a field veterinary adviser and now as Sector Veterinary Adviser for Sheep and Beef. Her main field of interest is cattle youngstock health and she has published several papers in this area. Recently she has been focussing on respiratory health, specifically thoracic ultrasound in calves which she has pioneered as a diagnostic technique in the UK.
Sian Stockford, Companion Animal Technical Lead, MSD
Sian Stockford spent 20 years in mixed then small-animal practice before joining MSD as a Field Veterinary Advisor in 2017. In 2022 she took on the role of Lead Technical Vet and manages the small-animal Technical Team. Sian lives and breathes Bravecto and has a particular interest in tick lifecycles.
Andrew Hall, Health & Safety Consultant, WorkNest
Andrew's role is as a Senior Client Manager and Health & Safety Lead at WorkNest. He has been a health and safety practitioner for 15 years with a wealth of experience across a range of sectors and aspects of health and safety. With a background in construction, engineering, shipping, ports and logistics, Andrew is able to provide advice on new processes and systems that drive health and safety compliance. He has cross-sector knowledge, providing best-in-class advice and recommendations to SMEs and some of the UK’s largest organisations. Andrew is a Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (CMIOSH).
Mark Harwood, Partner, Hazelwoods LLP Accountants
Mark has been with Hazlewoods since 2003 and works solely with veterinary practices. He advises on a whole range of matters including profit improvement, tax planning, valuations, ownership change and buying and selling practices. He regularly writes for the veterinary press and lectures to the profession.
MerlinVet will be exhibiting at the VET Trust Conference 2025 which will be taking place on Tuesday 3rd – Wednesday 4th June at the Stirling Court Hotel in Stirling. The conference aims “to provide topical and useful education targeted at Veterinary Surgeons in practice in a setting where there is ample opportunity to meet informally with speakers, colleagues, pharmaceutical and equipment representatives.” There will be several different streams at the conference, including equine, companion animal, nurse, and production animal. The AGM will be held on the Tuesday at 17.15 with the conference dinner taking place afterwards from 19.00 onwards. You can book your conference tickets here . You’ll be able to meet with representatives of the team covering MerlinVet-cel , MerlinSPS , and MerlinVet UK. About Vet Trust: VET Trust is a non-profit making, charitable organisation. It is run by a board of directors with the objective of providing, promoting, encouraging, and advancing the continuing education of those involved in alleviating the suffering of animals and who are engaged in or associated with the practice of the art and science of veterinary medicine and surgery.
Millpledge Veterinary is pleased to announce a new direct sales partnership with MerlinVet-Cel Buying Group, effective 1st April 2025. This collaboration is set to enhance access to Millpledge’s high-quality veterinary supplies for MerlinVet-Cel’s extensive network of veterinary practices across the UK. By joining forces, Millpledge and MerlinVet-Cel aim to streamline procurement processes, providing competitive pricing with rebates, improved availability of essential products—including bandages, syringes, and pharmaceuticals—and a more efficient supply chain. This partnership reflects Millpledge’s ongoing commitment to supporting veterinary professionals with reliable, high-quality solutions and aligns with MerlinVet-Cel’s dedication to delivering exceptional value to its members, ultimately fostering better care for animals nationwide. For details on how to sign up for your direct account, please visit the Millpledge supplier page on the MerlinVet-Cel members' site.
We are thrilled to announce Samaxia as a new partner for MerlinVet-cel Buying Group, offering exclusive UK non-prescription pet health products to all members. As a dedicated family-run team, mother and son, Sam and Max (and occasionally roping in Justin – still smarting that his names not included in the company!) have passionately built Samaxia over the past two years. Committed to personalised service, Samaxia are excited to meet MerlinVet-cel members virtually or face to face. No matter where you are in the country, they’re happy to connect with you, ensuring your practice can fully benefit from their innovative health solutions for pets and unique novel practice disinfectants. . Discover the full range of Samaxia’s products below. Visit the Samaxia website here . Contact Samaxia here . MerlinVet-cel members can benefit from discounts on a number of products through Samaxia. To find out more, please check your latest MerlinVet-cel Member Newsletter or visit the Portal . If you're not yet a member of MerlinVet-cel, but would like to benefit from joining our Buying Group, please contact us today.
