ECC Congress
Wednesday 2 April 2025
Early Bird pricing is available until Friday 7 February 2025
9.30am-4.30pm, Virtual Event
What is ECC Congress?
*New for 2025* ECC Congress is a one day virtual event that explores emergency and critical care nursing in veterinary practice. It will cover the nursing approach to many critical illnesses and emergencies, and how to improve the outcome of these patients.
This congress offers 7 hours of evidenced CPD and we are welcoming a range of expert industry speakers to deliver lectures.
Who should attend?
Veterinary nurses looking to develop their knowledge of emergency and critical care nursing. This congress will be particularly useful if you're:
- Interested in learning more about emergency and critical care nursing of cats, dogs, rabbits and small furries
- Aiming to specialise in ECC nursing
- Aiming to progress within your role
- Interested in keeping up-to-date with everything happening in the industry
Why attend?
- Listen to lectures from a range of speakers who will be sharing their experiences and knowledge
- Q&A sessions mean your questions will be answered by the speakers themselves
- Gain practical takeaways that you can implement in your practice
- Gain information, product knowledge and offers from our virtual exhibitors
- Earn 7 hours of evidenced CPD
- Gain online access to recordings of all the lectures and lectures from previous congresses up until the next event
Online Registration, Exhibition and Lounges |
Chair's WelcomeEmma Gerrard DipHE CVN Dip AVN (Small Animal) BSc (Hons) CVN RVN NCert SurgNsg RAMA KSQP |
Wounds in the Emergency Patient – the three T’s (Triage, Treatment and Time)Jackie Demetriou BVetMed, Cert SAS, Dip ECVS, FRCVS Most wounds in small animals are traumatic in origin and often present themselves with other co-morbidities and life-threatening conditions. These can present as challenging cases to nurses, who are often first on the scene. This presentation will discuss some commonly occurring acute wounds, with real case examples to work through, and discuss how to approach them, manage them and optimise their outcomes, based on the three T’s of Triage (stabilisation, assessment and prioritisation), Treatment (based on reducing infection and preventing further contamination) and Time (allowing wound closure without compromises). |
Nursing the Septic PatientChloe Fay BSc(Hons) RVN CertVN ECC NCert (Anaesthesia) VTS (ECC) BLS/ALS RECOVER Instructor Certified Recognising and reacting to the early signs and symptoms of sepsis can increase the rates of survival to discharge. Emphasis on early staging and quick initiation of treatment has become more and more prevalent with each sepsis guideline released. This presentation will look at the most recent sepsis guidelines, with a brief pathogenesis of sepsis, as well as discussion of treatment to include early antibiosis and its importance to survival rates. The focus of this lecture will be on how we can implement nursing care bundles in these patients to enact real change. |
Live Q&A PanelPresent questions (anonymously if desired) to the speakers. |
Morning Break, Online Exhibition and Lounges |
What’s New in CPR - An Update of the RECOVER GuidelinesSamantha Thompson RVN Grad Dip VN Cert VN ECC DET TAQA This session will be discussing the 2024 RECOVER Guidelines and how they are applicable to the ECC environment. The RECOVER CPR Guidelines were first published in 2012 and they have been instrumental in standardising veterinary CPR. In June 2024 RECOVER published updated guidelines and within those guidelines are some fairly significant changes. There has been changes to basic life support (BLS) with more clarity and guidance plus changes to the choice of drugs and their doses. During the session we will re-cap the essentials of CPR, covering compressions and ventilations. Ensuring we are all aware of the current evidence-based guidelines. Once we have covered the essentials, we will then look at the changes to the drugs we may administer to a patient in cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA). |
Live Q&A PanelPresent questions (anonymously if desired) to the speakers. |
Lunch Break, Online Exhibition and Lounges |
Care of the Emergency Cardiac PatientEmma Hudson RVN VTS (Cardiology) This presentation will cover the following key learning points:
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Perioperative Care for the Caesarean PatientJessica Herley CertVNECC VTS ECC Periopative care requirements for patients undergoing a caesarean section are complex and differ from our usual day to day anaesthesia regimes. Did you know that hormonal changes increase a dam’s sensitivity to anaesthetic agent and that all anaesthetic agents will cross the blood-placenta barrier? The provision of analgesic agents also needs to undertake careful consideration as analgesic agents that have minimal impact on the foetus need to be selected. Fetal survival is heavily dependent upon the peri-operative care considerations that have been carefully considered and implemented. Anaesthesia of a pregnant dog or cat requires a clear understanding of the specific physiological changes occurring within the body to ensure survival of the mother and neonates. |
Live Q&A PanelPresent questions (anonymously if desired) to the speakers. |
Chair's CloseEmma Gerrard DipHE CVN Dip AVN (Small Animal) BSc (Hons) CVN RVN NCert SurgNsg RAMA KSQP |
Online Exhibition and Lounges |
Please note this programme is subject to change.
Chloe Fay BSc(Hons) RVN CertVN ECC NCert (Anaesthesia) VTS (ECC) BLS/ALS RECOVER Instructor Certified
Chloe qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2012, gained her ECC certificate in 2016, her VTS (ECC) in 2018, became RECOVER BLS/ALS instructor certified in 2019 and most recently acquired her Certificate in Anaesthesia (2023).
Her focus over the years has been her continual learning and progression as an ECC nurse; as well as focusing on the level of care we give to our patients and clients.
Chloe is on the review board for the RCVS ‘inFOCUS’ veterinary journal and has provided lectures and workshops internationally. She is highly experienced and passionate about all aspects of emergency and critical care nursing, but her specific interests include critical care patients including renal and septic patients, and cardio-respiratory patients.
When not working, Chloe loves swimming, going for walks on the South Downs and cooking for friends and family.
Emma Gerrard DipHE CVN Dip AVN (Small Animal) BSc (Hons) CVN RVN NCert SurgNsg RAMA KSQP
Emma qualified in 2005 from Myerscough College and has worked in mixed, small and emergency and critical care practice with her most recent role being the lead and specialist theatre nurse in a busy 24-hour hospital.
Emma left clinical practice to move into higher education in April 2023 and is the module leader for the theatre practice, emergency and critical care and surgical nursing top up modules on the degree programme at The College of Animal Welfare.
Alongside teaching, Emma works as a locum in emergency and critical care to keep up her clinical skills. She is a companion and farm animal RAMA (SQP), BSAVA regional and publications committee member and tutor for ONCORE ePD. Emma is also the editor of the 2nd edition BSAVA pocketbook for Veterinary Nurses and is a frequent article contributor to a range of veterinary nursing publications.
Jackie Demetriou BVetMed, Cert SAS, Dip ECVS, FRCVS
Jackie Demetriou is a clinical partner at Granta Veterinary Specialists, an independent specialist referral practice, she is an EBVS and RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery and a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Jackie qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London and after a brief period in mixed practice took on a surgery residency at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh.
She also holds a part time Chair in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery at The University of Nottingham. She has published two text books, multiple book chapters and over thirty peer reviewed publications.
Jessica Herley CertVNECC VTS ECC
Jessica is a Veterinary Technician Specialist in emergency and critical care. Her main areas of interest include stabilisation of the emergency patient, to include management of the respiratory patient, patients in shock, anaesthesia for the critical patient & CPCR. Jessica also has an interest in human factors within veterinary medicine.
When Jessica is not working, she enjoys spending time on her parent’s farm looking after their many animals, walking in the mountains and shopping!
Samantha Thompson RVN Grad Dip VN Cert VN ECC DET TAQA
Sam is an experienced registered veterinary nurse with a background in teaching and supporting nurses within practice. She spent most of her career working in a large referral hospital, North Downs Specialist Referrals, where she held several positions. Beginning her journey as a rotating RVN, spending a large part of her career running Wards before eventually becoming Clinical Services Manager.
Whilst in this position she overhauled the Cardiopulmonary training protocol and introduced a robust induction programme. She became a RECOVER Instructor in June 2022 and loves supporting practices and individuals become more confident with CPR. Running her business, the VetMed CPR Coach alongside her role as a medical quality manager.
Emma Hudson RVN VTS (Cardiology)
Emma is currently working with the Cardiology team at The Ralph - a large referral hospital in Buckinghamshire - as the Senior Cardiology nurse.
She qualified as a veterinary nurse in 1999 and has worked in various general practices and referral hospitals gaining experience in many aspects of veterinary nursing. Her journey started as a Cardiology nurse in 2015, and she obtained her Veterinary Technician qualification in Cardiology in 2024.
Emma is passionate about all things Cardiology and her constant aim is to strive to care for all animals in an excellent and compassionate environment; and to continue to grow and learn as a veterinary nurse, as well as sharing knowledge and experience with fellow nurses and colleagues.
CAW Business School
CAW Business School was set up in 2012 to offer business related qualifications. CAW Business School offers a number of highly recognised qualifications including the opportunity to study AAT Accounting, Business Administration, Customer Service, TAQA and ILM leadership and management, and coaching and mentoring courses.
Millpledge Veterinary
Millpledge Veterinary has been manufacturing innovative products designed specifically for the veterinary professional for over 30 years.
Ranging from Pharmaceuticals to Nutraceuticals, Bandaging and Fluid Therapy, encompassing products for companion and large animal use. Providing complete peace of mind for the veterinary profession.
Popular products include Rapz Eazy Tear® Cohesive Bandages, Eaze-Off® Tape and Bandage Removal Spray, Tom Tiddle™ Urinary Cat Catheters, Millpack™ Sterilisation Pouches with built-in sterility test strips, Aniset™ IV Sets for small and large animals, and V-GEL® advanced species-specific supraglottic airway devices for Rabbits, Cats, and Dogs.
Visit our website at www.millpledge.com to view our full range.
Pet Remedy
Pet Remedy is a natural plant based range of calming products for pets. Easy to use and fast acting. This unique and patented formula is valerian root oil based and is made in the UK.
Pet Remedy works with the pet's own natural calming mechanisms and is suitable for use in all stressful situations. Pet Remedy will also help with developing emotional resilience and wellbeing. Now used by most veterinary practices and rescues on a daily basis. Visit the vet zone on our website and you will see a detailed explanation by Dr Robert Falconer-Taylor (veterinary neuro surgeon and author), about how Pet Remedy works. You will also see links to 9 published studies showing efficacy in multi-species including cat, dog, rabbit, pig and horse.
The College of Animal Welfare
The College of Animal Welfare is one of the largest providers of veterinary nurse training in the UK, with centres in Cambridgeshire, North London, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, West Midlands, County Durham and Scotland. We strongly believe that education and training is the key to raising standards of animal welfare. To this end, we strive to create new and accessible opportunities for learning, and encourage employers and those working with animals to undertake appropriate levels of training and continue with lifelong learning and education.
Vetlife
Vetlife is a charity dedicated to supporting the veterinary profession.
Everyone in the veterinary community is welcome to contact the Vetlife Helpline for free, independent and confidential support – including veterinary nurses, veterinary students, and non-clinical staff. The Helpline can be reached on 0303 040 2551 or by anonymous email.
Following contact with the Vetlife Helpline, volunteers can refer those needing further care to our award-winning Vetlife Health Support service which provides mental health support.
Vetlife Financial Support is available for eligible veterinary surgeons, registered veterinary nurses, and their dependants in the UK.
VetSkill
VetSkill is an Ofqual and CCEA-approved awarding organisation, a professional regulatory body, and an IfATE and ESFA-approved end-point assessment organisation.
We aim to empower learners to achieve their potential by providing inspirational qualifications and robust assessments. VetSkill-approves colleges to deliver our growing portfolio of qualifications and contracts with training providers and employers to provide end-point assessments for many apprenticeship standards.
Early Bird Tickets Available
£150 (£125+VAT)
That's a saving of £60
Once the Early Bird promotion ends, your ticket will cost: £210 (£175+VAT)
Early Bird pricing is available until Friday 7 February 2025.
Book now
