Review for Midlands Regional Meetings
Practical Suturing Workshop | 1st Feb 2012 | St George's Vet Hospital, Wolverhampton
Speaker - Rob White BSc BVetMed CertVA DSAS (Soft Tissue) DipECVS MRCVS and Helen Mason RVN
Sponsored by Covidien
This first CPD event for 2012 for the region was fully booked weeks before, with 12 nurses keen to learn the practical skill of suturing. The event was set up to be as practical as possible with 4 suturing teachers, included our main lecturer Rob White from Willows Referrals. After a pizza supper we continued into the meeting room to be greeted by pigs trotters and various suture materials. After a short talk on different materials and techniques we proceeded to learn how to tie basic suturing throws and knots, before progressing onto the pigs' trotters. By having 1 teacher to every 3 delegates there was plenty of hands-on advice. We covered different suturing patterns, and every nurse was provided with a suturing handbook to take home. After 2 hours of practical suturing the evening came to a close. The feedback was excellent for the type of event and for our teachers.
I would like to say a huge thank you to Covidien for their sponsorship, teaching skills and support. I would also like to thank Rob and Helen for being are main lecturers, and also a thank you to St George's for allowing us to use their meeting room for the event.
Our next event is scheduled for 3 weeks time.
Cruciate Ligament Rupture | 22nd Feb 2012 | Willows Referrals, Solihull
Speaker - Malcolm McKee BVMS MVS DSAO MACVSc MRCVS
Sponsored by Willows
With 52 nurses, vets and student VN's booked in, we were thrilled to get a great attendance for our Cruciate Ligament CPD at Willows Referrals. The evening started with a hospital tour around the referral centre's excellent facilities. It was a great opportunity for nurses to get a glance into the world of referral work, and there were plenty of chances to ask questions about the various pieces of specialist equipment.
Once the tours were over we settled in to listen to this evening's speaker, Malcolm McKee. The presentation covered all aspects of cruciate ligament rupture from what is normal and abnormal, how the condition occurs, conservative and surgical management techniques and aftercare of patients. There were some great real-life examples used, including Malcolm's cat Munchkin! The use of radiographs, arthroscopy images and photographs of various patients really helped relate the information to how it can be used in practice. It gave an excellent account of the specialist work that Willows undertakes. There was opportunity to ask questions prior to the meeting coming to a close.
I would like to thank Malcolm, Jenny, Sally and the rest of the team at Willows referrals for their time, support, and use of their facilities. I would also like to thank everyone that attended; it was great to see so many nurses supporting local CPD.
I look forward to seeing everyone at my next meeting on Wed 21st Mar at West Midlands Safari Park on the topic of Puppy's Perspective - a trip to the vets!