Addressing Animal Welfare in the Vet Clinic

Join us to explore the differences of functioning as a clinician and a welfarist, and explore the impact on vets of working in an environment where animal welfare is compromised....

We will consider:

• Background to contextualise animal welfare in practice 
• Recap VSA 1966 and AWA 2006 and how this applies to clinical practice as well as the Code of Conduct and our professional responsibilities
• Produce a framework of professional responsibilities
• Understand the role of consent
• Explore the differences between functioning as a clinician vs a welfarist
• Seek examples in practice of animal health and welfare which need addressing
• Can we assess animal welfare? -
• Put in place policies and a culture to uphold professional responsibilities
• Explore the impact on vets of working in an environment where animal welfare is compromised

SPEAKER: DR. Austin Kirwan BIO: Dr Kirwan is a veterinary graduate of Liverpool University (1987) and had practiced in Lancashire for the majority of his clinical career owning a group of five practices which he originally saw practice in as a school boy. He was member of RCVS Council 1999 - 2003 and was Chairman of the Preliminary Investigation Committee investigating complaints against veterinary surgeons; on leaving Council he Chaired VetLife Helpline for 6 years. Since 2000 Dr Kirwan as worked for St George's University, Grenada, West Indies, and is currently Assistant Dean for UK Clinical Affairs having the responsibilities for programme director for their Global Veterinary Health track which is accredited by the RCVS as a registrable degree, EMS co-ordinator and visiting professor in ethics and animal welfare. Currently Dr Kirwan sits on the Disciplinary Committee of the RCVS hearing cases against veterinary surgeons and nurses. Post graduate study has led to a Masters degree in human and animal bioethics (OU) and another in business administration (Grenada). Dr Kirwan is a RCVS Recognised Advanced practitioner in SA practice and holds a certificate in emergency and critical care (Melbourne).