Dr Ranj brings practical wellbeing advice to BSAVA Virtual Congress
26 January 2021
Dr Ranj has been confirmed as a Keynote Speaker for BSAVA Virtual Congress 25- 27 March 2021. The NHS doctor, television presenter, author and columnist will be sharing his insights on the mental health challenges of working within a caring profession under the constraints of COVID 19.
This year’s edition of BSAVA Congress, with its new virtual format, balance of clinical and interactive content, wide range of practical topics, light-hearted socials and wellbeing-led sessions, is a compelling offering for every member of the practice.
Dr Ranj is the second keynote speaker to be confirmed, the first being Jenny Campbell and the third to be revealed next month. They will be joining a line-up of more than 100 UK and International contributors during the three days of the event.
Dr Ranj is familiar with the intense pressure that many veterinary professionals are facing when juggling working in a sometimes emotionally stressful environment with that of home life. When the COVID 19 pandemic started Dr Ranj took a step back from media work to focus on supporting the NHS in his role as a paediatric emergency medicine specialist.
“Maintaining wellbeing is all about doing the basics right,” he said “We are in a pandemic and people are under intense pressure – from work, from home life, from a health perspective and so much more. So, despite everything going on around you, make sure you have a routine every day.
“Get out and about safely. Build some physical activity into your schedule. Nourish your body with everything it needs, and make sure you allow yourself some treats too! Take a moment for yourself every day to do something that makes you feel good.
“Take time to connect with others safely and check in on the vulnerable too. Celebrate the little victories and achievements that you have. And at the end of the day, make sure you look after your sleep because that’s when your brain and body recover from the stresses of everyday. Everything else we do is a bonus on top of those basics. And if you are struggling, make sure you reach out for help and speak to someone.”
“We are delighted to welcome Dr Ranj as one of our three keynote speakers this year,” said BSAVA President Ian Ramsey. “One of the many advantages of Congress evolving into a virtual event for 2021 is that we can be more flexible and creative with our sessions and how we fulfil the needs and expectations of every member of the practice, from clinical, interactive, wellbeing and social perspectives. Our three keynote presentations are eagerly anticipated.”
Dr Ranj agrees that the pandemic has provided some lateral advantages when it comes to virtual initiatives. He said: “Doing things virtually not only means that we can stay as safe as possible, but it also means that those who might have struggled to get to or find time for important events can join in too. In that sense, it can make them more inclusive.”
BSAVA Virtual Congress 2021 will deliver 130 hours+ of CPD in a flexible format with the bonus of the live and on-demand content being available to delegates on the platform for 60 days, and then via the BSAVA Library. The full programme went live earlier this month, revealing the scope of the four simultaneous live streams that will provide 80+ live sessions covering 24 module topics, together with a library of 100 on-demand webinars. You can view the programme here .
Dr Michael Unsworth Veterinary Affairs Manager for Hill’s Pet Nutrition – one of the headline sponsors at Congress this year said: “BSAVA 2021 Online is an opportunity for the profession to come together, to learn and to take time to reflect on the last 12 months. The team at Hill’s Pet Nutrition recognise what a challenging year it’s been for everyone, both personally and professionally and are thrilled to be able to sponsor Dr Ranj’s Wellbeing Keynote Speaker address. This congress is all about moving forwards on all levels, to progress, to restore, and to prepare for a positive 2021/22.”
Prices for BSAVA Virtual Congress start at just £99 +VAT for members. To register now visit https://www.bsavaevents.com/bsavacongress2021/en/page/home
For information on how to become a BSAVA member visit https://bsava.com/Membership/Member-categories