Safeguarding: drug misuse in veterinary teams
Tracks
Stream Two - Eureka 2
| Friday, March 21, 2025 |
| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
| Eureka 2 |
Overview
Cat Walker
Speaker
Cat Walker
Cat Walker Mediation & Veterinary Consulting
Safeguarding: drug misuse in veterinary teams
Abstract
Substance use disorder and the misuse of medications in veterinary settings can adversely impact the safety of our patients and our teams. This topic should be discussed openly, compassionately, and within the “disease” framework of mental health and substance use disorders. In this lecture you will learn about substance use disorders, the patient and team member safety implications associated with drug misuse, factors particular to healthcare professionals that put them at higher risk of substance use disorder, and opportunities to implement positive change by implementing a culture of safety and accountability. Substance use disorder is incurable and requires lifelong surveillance, so it is incumbent upon veterinary leaders to emphasise prevention within veterinary hospitals.
Biography
Cat Walker is a Registered Veterinary Nurse, Lawyer, Mediator, International Speaker, and Associate Lecturer. Cat has a wealth of experience in the veterinary sector including ownership and management of general practice and emergency hospitals.
Cat empowers veterinary teams to maximise patient outcomes by navigating common lines of conflict using evidence-based strategies grounded in conflict theory and neuroscience.
With a past life in performing arts, Cat’s skills as a speaker shine through with her interactive, engaging, yet extremely professional style. Delegates benefit from the pragmatic nature of Cat’s talks in which her goal is for individuals to walk away with clear strategies that they can apply to their working lives. Cat is the voice and mind behind the Radio Vet Nurse podcast with over 70,000 downloads.
