Veterinary teams looking to get ahead of regulatory change will see a strong focus on Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) reforms at BVA Live 2026, with multiple sessions aimed at translating policy into day-to-day practice.
The two-day event, taking place on 11–12 June at the NEC Birmingham, will offer around 17 hours of CPD for vets and vet nurses alongside a programme spanning clinical updates, leadership and ethical decision-making.
CMA reforms take centre stage
A key theme running through this year’s programme is preparing practices for the expected outcomes of the CMA investigation into veterinary services.
Sessions include “Managing complaints post-CMA, what do you need to know?”, which will explore how proposed changes—such as more structured complaints processes and potential mediation requirements—could affect consultations and client communication.
Another panel, “Hot topic: CMA remedies – what do they mean in practice?”, will examine the likely direction of travel and the practical implications for teams, including transparency expectations and operational changes.
For practice leaders and managers, these sessions are likely to be among the most immediately relevant, focusing on how to adapt systems, workflows and client interactions in response to evolving regulation.
Clinical and nursing CPD across species
Alongside the policy focus, the programme includes a broad range of clinical sessions designed for both vets and veterinary nurses.
Topics include anaesthesia in comorbid patients, emergency and critical care decision-making, ophthalmology updates, and approaches to long-term patient management.
Exotics and small mammal care are also featured, including euthanasia considerations across species, while behaviour and communication are covered through sessions such as managing anxiety in young dogs.
For veterinary nursing teams, dedicated streams cover areas such as anaesthetic complications, nurse-led procedures and resilience in practice, reflecting the continued expansion of nursing roles in clinical and operational settings.
Leadership, ethics and workplace culture
Beyond clinical skills, BVA Live 2026 places emphasis on the wider challenges facing the profession.
Sessions in the business and debate streams will tackle topics such as ethical decision-making, leadership development and data-driven practice management.
The BVA Interactive Zone will also return, offering shorter, discussion-led sessions on issues including workplace culture, contextualised care and the risk of overtreatment—areas that continue to generate debate across the profession.
You can browse the full programme and get your tickets here: Conference Programme 2026 - BVA Live 2026
