WA Division & Perth Branch | Handling the Hard Stuff: Complaints, Conflict & Compassion
November 22 @ 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm AWST
Free
Handling the Hard Stuff: Complaints, Conflict and Compassion
Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) – Better Together Event
Date: Sunday 22nd November 2026. 5-7.30pm (doors open 4:30pm) at Lawnswood, 1 Nexus Way, Bayswater, WA 6053.
An evening for veterinarians and veterinary nurses to talk openly about the toughest parts of practice: complaints, conflict and grief, and how we can look after ourselves and each other through them.
Program at a Glance
5:00pm – Navigating complaints in practice – Dr Paul Davey, Veterinary Practice Board of WA
5:30pm – Cultivating Safe Teams – Dr Rebecca Faris and Cam Burchell, AVA Thrive
6:00pm- Grief, euthanasia and compassion VNCA, Lawnswood and One Welfare Social Work
6:30pm – 7:30pm – Food, drinks and social time
Who should attend
Veterinarians/ Students/ New Grads/ Vet Nurses/ Technologists
Learning outcomes
5:00pm – Navigating Complaints in Practice
Dr Paul Davey, Veterinary Practice Board of WA
A complaint has landed. What happens next? Dr Davey walks us through the process from the Board’s side of the table, including:
- What happens when a complaint is made
- The rapid resolution process, and how complaints can be resolved at the very first hurdle
- How the Board investigates, and what it needs from the vet to do so
- What the Board looks for in documentation, honesty, remorse and learning from the complaint
- Resources available from the Board to support vets’ mental wellbeing through the process
The VNCA will also be on hand to answer questions about registered veterinary nurses and the complaints process.
5:30pm – Cultivating Safe Teams
Dr Rebecca Faris and Cam Burchell, AVA Thrive
AVA Thrive introduces the Cultivating Safe Teams initiative and how it can strengthen working relationships and build a psychologically safe workplace. This session covers:
- How Cultivating Safe Teams can improve interpersonal relations at work
- What you can do to help create a psychologically safe workplace
- Dealing with conflict between colleagues
- Working in diverse teams under pressure
6:00pm – Grief, Euthanasia and Compassion
VNCA, Lawnswood and One Welfare Social Work
Euthanasia is a privilege and a weight. Our presenters explore how it affects vets and nurses, and how we can support ourselves, each other and our clients through grief and loss.
- VNCA
- Lawnswood
- One Welfare Social Work
Further details
🐾 You’re Invited: WA Veterinary Community Information & Social Evening
Join colleagues from across Western Australia for an engaging and informative evening brought to you in collaboration with the WA AVA, WA VNCA and the Veterinary Practice Board of WA (VPB).
Venue:
📍 Lawnswood
1 Nexus Way, Bayswater
💬 Stay for Social Time – 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Food, Drinks, and Social Connection
After the session, unwind, connect, and debrief with colleagues over food and drinks.
🥂 This is a BYO drinks event.
Door Prize
Boehringer Ingelheim has also donated a Lavazza Jolie Plus Modo Mio coffee machine to be drawn at the end of the evening. You must be present to win!
Thank You
Thank you to our presenters, the Veterinary Practice Board of WA, the VNCA, AVA Thrive, Lawnswood, and our sponsors, Lawnswood & Boehringer Ingelheim.
We look forward to seeing you there for an evening of learning, connection, and community.
Our sponsors
With thanks to Event Sponsors
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Other Sponsor
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