RCN Education Forum National Conference and Exhibition 2024
Future Insights: Enabling professional practice in health and social care nursing education
23 Apr 2024, 09:00 - 24 Apr, 17:00
Choose event information:
Bookings for this event are now closed.
Explore the full programme and the four keynote speaker biographies. Don’t miss this essential learning to support your professional development, our keynotes are involved at the cutting edge of nursing workforce change to ensure safe and effective patient care and a broad range of interactive sessions showcases the topic areas below. Conference fees and discounts are detailed on the conference fee tab.
Professionalism in nursing and midwifery practice underpins the consistent provision of safe, effective, person-centred outcomes that support people, their families and carers, to achieve an optimal status of health and wellbeing.
Education and training are pivotal to the development and retention of a professional workforce which can develop and deliver strategies, redesign services and co-produce care capable of addressing inequalities and improving health outcomes. Increasing demands for health and care services and the need to address workforce shortages and skills, in the context of an ever-growing complexity of health needs and imperative for more integrated services, means that the need for high quality professional education and training has never been greater.
The focus of the RCN Education Forum national conference 2024 addresses this context and celebrates educational practice which enables and supports professionalism across sectors and at all levels.
The conference programme will showcase abstracts that cover four topic areas:
- Sustaining and developing the educator workforce
- Evolving and innovative models of workforce training and education
- Innovations in nursing education programmes
- Quality improvement and innovation
Join in the discussion #RCNED24 @theRCN @RCNEdForum
Education Conference Team
education@rcn.org.uk
020 7647 3577
Knavesmire Stand
York Racecourse
Knavesmire Road
York
YO23 1EX
Tel: 01904 638971
Website: www.yorkracecourse.co.uk
York Racecourse is a modern conference and exhibition venue situated to the south of the historic and vibrant city of York.
The conference and exhibition will be held in the Knavesmire Stand at York Racecourse.
Directions as you enter York Racecourse
On approach to the racecourse, you will see a red brick corner wall which leads into a long brick wall. There is a wedding board located here and a sign which says Owners and Trainers/Grandstand & Paddock.
As you travel down the red brick walled perimeter road, you will see on the right the white pillared “Marble Entrance”. Please continue past the Marble Entrance until you see the Houghton Building on the right-hand side. Once you have exited the Houghton Building, head straight through the courtyard. You will see the Knavesmire Stand straight ahead.
Accommodation
Preferential rates can be found under the Accommodation tab.
Getting to the venue
By Train
York train station is located centrally in the City of York. Fast and frequent trains run from London Kings Cross, taking as little as 1 hour 52 minutes. Direct trains also run from Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham.
York Station is a short hop to the racecourse by bus (frequent service running every 10 minutes) or a 5 minute taxi journey which will cost in the region of £7-8 (as at June 2023).
The racecourse is approximately 1.5 miles on foot from York Station, approximately 25 minutes walking time.
By Coach
Coaches to York stop adjacent to the Station. Please visit the National express website for timetables, prices and ticket purchase.
Local Airport
The nearest major airport is Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBA (IATA) / EGNM (ICAO)). This airport is served by international and domestic flights and is 33 miles from the centre of York. Manchester Airport is approximately 65 miles away and direct trains operate from the airport to York.
By Car
The recommended route to the racecourse from all directions is via the A64 to the south of the racecourse. The racecourse itself is located approximately 1 mile from the A64 and driving directions can be obtained from https://www.conferenceandeventsyork.co.uk/location.html
Car parking - There is a plentiful supply of free car parking available on-site.
Driving, Sat Nav - YO23 1EX
To discover what to see and do please visit www.visityork.org
Please note these programme details and timings are subject to change. To keep up-to-date with any developments affecting the conference programme, we suggest that you check the conference website regularly.
The abstracts included in the conference book of abstracts have been printed as submitted by the authors with some minor editing to maintain RCN house style. The RCN does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of the information provided in this book of abstracts. Authors are fully responsible for the content of their abstracts including accuracy of the facts, statements and references.
Download the conference book of abstracts.
Professor Nicola Ranger, Chief Nurse, Royal College of Nursing
Nicola Ranger, RN, is the Chief Nurse at the Royal College of Nursing in the UK. She was previously Chief Nurse and Executive Director of Midwifery at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London. Before that, she held Chief Nurse posts at both Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust.
Professor Ranger has also held several senior nursing roles at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. Earlier in her career, she worked at America’s George Washington University Hospital in Washington and at Mount Sinai Medical Centre in New York.
Sue Tranka, Chief Nursing Officer and Nurse Director NHS Wales
Sue Tranka was appointed as the Chief Nursing Officer for Wales and Nurse Director of NHS Wales in the summer of 2021. She was formerly the Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for Patient Safety and Innovation at NHS England and Improvement and held the role of Director of Infection prevention and control leading the national team in its response to supporting guidance development, implementation and remobilisation of NHS services. Protecting staff and patients from nosocomial transmission of Covid has been a key focus of her work since the start of the pandemic.
Sue has 31 years of varied experience in nursing and has spent the last 24 years working in the National Health Service. Sue trained as a midwife, registered general nurse, mental health nurse and community nurse. Sue has a strong interest in quality improvement, human factors and safety systems.
As of April 2022, Sue holds the title of Honorary Visiting Professor at Cardiff University.
In October 2020, Sue was listed among the Health Service Journal’s 50 most influential people in health from a black, Asian and minority ethnic background, and in December 2021 was awarded a fellowship of the Queen’s Nursing Institute. Sue is a Trustee for the Florence Nightingale Foundation and is an FNF alumna leadership scholar.
Helené Donnelly OBE, Head of Safety Culture, Nuffield Health
Helené was appointed in 2013 to act as NHS Ambassador for Culture Change and pioneered the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian role to support staff to raise concerns, ensuring the voice of the frontline is heard clearly at a senior level within organisations.
Helené previously worked in the A&E department at Stafford Hospital and following her experience and difficulties in trying to raise concerns there, she was a key witness at the Public Inquiry held by Robert Francis QC into the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.
Helené is a registered Nurse Practitioner, with over twenty years of experience working in the NHS and Social Care, primarily in emergency care. As Ambassador for Cultural Change, Helené had clear remit from NHS Trust Boards to act freely and with complete autonomy from the management team as another route for issues of concern to be raised at the highest level. Proactively gathering feedback about staff wellbeing, cultures and what barriers might prevent staff from raising concerns and delivering quality services.
Helené acted as an advisor in Sir Robert Francis’ Freedom to Speak up Review (2015). She has advised the DHSC, NHS England, NHSI, CQC, RCN, and the NHS Confederation. She has worked with the NMC to develop improvements in raising concerns/duty of candour and witness liaison and is a member of the NMC Professional Strategic Advisory Group. She has also worked with Protect and Health Education England (HEE) to develop national raising concerns training, subsequently implemented by the National FTSU Guardians Office (NGO).
She advised the CQC on the implementation and development of the National Independent Freedom to Speak Up Guardian Office established in 2016, and local Guardian roles across the NHS as recommended by Sir Robert Francis. She continues to support the NGO and national FTSU training to Guardians and Champions.
In addition, Helené has worked with the NHS National Institute for Health Research as an advisor to the University of Birmingham, Cardiff University, University of Surrey and King’s College London on the FTSU Guardian national research project. Helené has held Honorary and Visiting lecturer roles to the Universities of Manchester, Salford and the MOD respectively. In 2020/21 she was asked to act as an expert adviser to the Corruption Economic Crime Branch of the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) regarding whistleblower protection in the health sector. In 2021 she appeared at the Health & Social Care Select Committee advising on Workforce burn out and bullying. She worked with Protect to produce a national guide for employers on responding to victimisation, alongside Sky, NHS Digital, Wellcome Trust, Natwest Banking Group, Oxfam et al. Helené is a member of the advisory board for Patient Safety Watch and in 2022 she advised the Ockenden independent maternity review. In 2022 Helené also commenced a FTSU research project with Staffordshire University.
In 2022 Helené was appointed National Head of Safety Culture for Nuffield Health the UKs largest healthcare charity. Additionally, she continues to advise and support the NHS, the government and relevant stakeholders on the importance of embedding and sustaining positive cultures, where staff are genuinely encouraged and enabled to speak up and voice concerns to protect staff, patients and the public.
Professor Brian Webster-Henderson, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Cumbria
Professor Brian Webster-Henderson is the Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Cumbria where he holds a strategic portfolio that covers health, science, education, arts, wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusivity as well as research and knowledge exchange. Prior to joining the University of Cumbria in 2018, Brian held a number of senior academic leadership positions in the UK including Edinburgh Napier University, Robert Gordon University Aberdeen and University of Southampton and has been a Professor since 2009.
Brian is both a mental health nurse and an adult nurse and has been a registered nurse for 39 years. He has worked in substance misuses community services as well as inpatient care, specialising in supporting those with alcohol dependency, as well as leading services in gastroenterology, hepatology and emergency medicine.
Brian has been leading on the creation of the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine, a partnership with Imperial College London, which will open in 2025 as a joint venture, providing a graduate entry medicine programme with a focus on public and community health as well as rural health based in Carlisle, Cumbria.
Brian has an extensive national and international profile and previously held the post of Chair of the Council of Deans of Health UK (www.councilofdeans.org.uk) for 6 years. He has provided evidence to the Health Select Committee and a number of other national and strategic organisations in relation to workforce issues, education and innovative solutions to education, training and skills.
Brian was recognised as a Fellow of the Queens Nursing Institute in 2022 and is a Governor at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust and a Trustee of the Fells Education Trust in Cumbria. He was also an adjunct Professor at John Hopkins University from 2016 – 2022.
DEADLINE FOR BOOKING THE PRESENTER RATE IS 26 FEBRUARY 2024
Presenter rates cannot be booked online. To book the presenter rate and pay by credit/debit card please contact RCN Event Registrations on 02920 546460. Please have your abstract reference number to hand. Alternatively, we can invoice your employer, please complete the invoice process below.
Not an RCN member? Join today to qualify for preferential conference fees.
ALL attendees who are presenting and ALL co-presenters must be registered to attend the event or admission may be refused. Failure to register to attend by the closing date will result in your submission being removed from the programme. We strongly recommend that you attend the full two days of the conference to maximise learning and networking time.
Presenting attendee rate
The main presenting attendee and one co-presenter are offered a rate equivalent to a 15% reduction on the two-day conference fee.
For symposium submissions one presenter per paper is eligible for the presenter rate up to a maximum of five presenters.
We regret that the presenting attendee rate cannot be offered on the one-day conference fee.
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Conference fees |
Price ex VAT |
VAT |
Price inc VAT |
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RCN Member (2 Days) |
£250.00 |
£50.00 |
£300.00 |
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Non RCN Member (2 Days) |
£375.00 |
£75.00 |
£450.00 |
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RCN Member (1 Day) |
£187.50 |
£37.50 |
£225.00 |
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Non RCN Member (1 Day) |
£277.50 |
£55.50 |
£333.00 |
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Presenter rates (available until 26 February 2024) |
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RCN Member Presenter (2 Days) |
£212.50 |
£42.40 |
£255.00 |
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Non RCN Member Presenter (2 Days) |
£315.00 |
£63.00 |
£378.00 |
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Discounted rates |
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RCN Member: Pre-reg student, Retired, RCN Health Care Practitioner, Health Care Assistant/Assistant Practitioner (2 day / 40% discount) |
£150.00 |
£30.00 |
£180.00 |
| Please note the 40% discount is not avaialble to post graduate students. Refer to conditions and exclusions below. | |||
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Member: RCN representatives, forum steering committee (2 day / 25% discount) |
£187.50 |
£37.50 |
£225.00 |
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Conditions and exclusions
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Please note: discounts cannot be accumulated or redeemed when booking online. Please contact RCN Events Registration to book a discounted place. |
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Catering during the conference programme and conference materials are provided within the conference fee. Travel, accommodation and catering outside of the conference programme are not included in the conference fee.
The presenter rate will be available for a limited time only.
To make a booking
Online bookings are the easiest and fastest way to book 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Bookings can also be made by phone with payment by credit card/Maestro, by calling
+44 (0) 2920 546460. Lines are open from 9.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Invoice payment
To pay by invoice you must send all of the below to eventsreg@rcn.org.uk
- A copy of the Purchase Order document from your organisation or company addressed to supplier: Royal College of Nursing, 20 Cavendish Square, London. W1G 0RN. (we cannot process your order without it)
- Your finance department or accounts payable contact email address to receive an electronic copy of the invoice from us
- A completed RCN Events Booking Form for each delegate in the booking
Once the invoice has been raised, you will then receive confirmation of your delegates booking on the event requested. Invoices are to be paid within 30 days of the invoice being issued.
Conference information
If you have registered for the event using a work email address, there are occasions when firewall settings can block email communications reaching you. If you’re unable to locate your joining instructions, please contact a member of the events team on 0207 647 3577 or email education@rcn.org.uk
Registration
On arrival, please make your way to the RCN registration desk in Knavesmire Stand which will be clearly signposted. We'll give you a conference badge and lanyard, which you must wear in the building at all times and a certificate of attendance. Refreshments will be available throughout registration:
Tuesday 7:45am – 8:15am
Wednesday 8:00 – 8:30am
A cloakroom will be available throughout the event.
Mobile App
This year we'll be using a conference mobile app. We recommend downloading this prior to the event.
By using the app you can tailor your own bespoke schedule, connect with other delegates, preview our exhibitors and sponsors among a host of other benefits.
Find out more and download the app here.
Programme and Book of Abstracts
The programme and abstracts are available to view via the conference mobile app (please note, a very limited number of printed programmes will be available on the day for those who require them).
We also offer a web-based programme, which includes the abstracts. In addition a PDF programme, and separate e-book of abstracts is available to download and print.
View programme and book of abstracts
Presenters
If you are presenting at the conference, we strongly advise you familiarise yourself with the presenter guidelines below.
- Concurrent oral presentation guidelines
- First time presenter guidance
- Poster presentation guidelines
- Symposium presentation guidelines
- ViPER guidelines
Presentations should be given to the AV Team at the Speaker Point in the foyer on the day of the presentation or during afternoon breaks for the following day. The team will upload your presentation to equipment in the appropriate room prior to presentation times. You can also speak to the Events Team about any onsite changes. The audio visual will be managed by R&B, who have extensive experience of the Education Conference.
Poster presentations
A poster exhibition will accompany the conference on day 1 and day 2 of the conference. Presenters will be available during refreshment and lunch breaks to discuss their work. A full list of posters can be found in the mobile app.
Best poster prize
There will be a prize for best poster on each day of the conference as voted for by conference delegates.
You can vote using the mobile app.
Concurrent and symposium sessions
Delegates are free to mix and match sessions. Attendance will be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, so please ensure you arrive early at the room if there is a particular session you wish to attend.
Fringe events
If you plan to attend a morning fringe event we encourage you to arrive 15 minutes before the start of the session to ensure you have time to get refreshments before the session begins.
Networking
If you are a first time-attendee or attending the conference alone, the forum steering committee are hosting a pre-conference social gathering on Monday 22 from 7pm at the Tank and Paddle so do come and say hello. Please note a cash bar facility will be in operation.
Tank and Paddle
1 Bridge St
York YO1 6DD
Exhibition
There will be an exhibition running alongside this event. These exhibitors have chosen to exhibit at this conference as they feel their products and/or services may be of interest to you. The exhibition also supports the conference, therefore please take the time to go and visit each exhibition stand during the exhibition viewing times.
Lunch
Lunch will be served at the time specified in the programme. If you have any specific dietary requirements, please inform us in advance so we can ensure your needs are catered for.
Specific requirements
If you have any specific requirements (e.g. hearing loop etc.), please inform us in advance so we can ensure the appropriate arrangements are in place.
Mobile phone charging
We encourage you to attend the conference with a fully charged mobile phone to be able to access the app. However, there will be a lockable mobile phone charging unit available.
You can tweet ahead of the event and on site by using #RCNED24 and including @theRCN and @RCNEdForum.
Receipts and registration enquiries
If you require a receipt or have any queries relating to your registration or payment for this event please contact the RCN Events Registration team direct on 029 2054 6460 between 9am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, or email eventsreg@rcn.org.uk
Alternatively, please contact staff on the registration desk at the event.
Cancellations and substitutions
Only cancellations received one week before the start of the event will be refunded, minus a £25 administration fee. Regrettably, no refunds can be processed after this date.
Places can be substituted at any time. Please contact the RCN Event Registrations team on 029 20546460 with details of name changes.
Please note: Substitutions are strictly only valid for an entire booking i.e. substitutions cannot be made on a 2-day attendance whereby, one colleague attends day 1 and the other on day 2.
After the event
Please take a few minutes to complete the evaluation that will be emailed to you at the end of the event. All answers will be treated in the strictest confidence and will help us to shape future events, both online and face to face.
The RCN and RCN Education Forum Steering Committee look forward to welcoming you to the conference.
Conference App Benefits:
- Create your own bespoke ‘My schedule’.
- ‘Search’ your name to locate sessions you are involved in, be it presenting, chairing or an author.
- Utilise key word search to find relevant presentations and + to your ‘My schedule’ - Preview abstracts
- Participate in group conversation with fellow delegates using the ‘Conference chat’
- ‘Connect’ with individuals and arrange 121’s.
- Browse our exhibitors
- Vote for the poster of the day
- Keep up to date with notifications from the conference organisers re. programme changes and prompts.
Downloading the Exordo guidebook app
3. Enter the passphrase provided in the recent conference information email that was sent to you.
If you require a more detailed step by step guide with images on how to download the app, please view this document.
Presenter registration deadline Monday 19 February 2024.
In order to be eligible to present and to qualify for the presenter rate, all presenters must register for the conference by Monday 19 February 2024 quoting their abstract reference number. Failure to do so may result in your abstract being removed from the final conference programme. As the main presenter you are responsible for co-ordinating the registration of your co-presenters (if applicable) in addition to yourself.
Prior to preparing and delivering your presentation, we strongly advise that you read the RCN’s conference terms and conditions.
Types of conference presentation
Concurrent (25 minutes)
Concurrent papers are presented orally. Concurrent sessions are 25 minutes in duration. Each presenter is allocated a maximum of 20 minutes to speak followed by 5 minutes for questions and discussion.
Symposia (60 – 90 minutes)
A symposium is an oral presentation of between three and five papers with a shared focus. The duration of a symposium is normally 60 or 90 minutes depending on the number of papers.
Posters (one day)
Exhibited on one day of the conference, posters are visual displays of material. Poster displays reach a wide audience and are suited to the presentation of factual data, such as project design or findings. Posters should be visually stimulating in design and convey clear aims and outcomes. Poster presenters participate in a facilitated, interactive poster tour during the the lunch break, providing an excellent opportunity to interact with delegates.
ViPER (25 minutes)
A ViPER is an evaluation of Visual Presentation with Expert Review. This method involves a short oral presentation of a poster with no more than 5 presentation slides, followed by expert commentary and facilitated group discussion and debate. ViPERs support audience interactivity and provide an increased opportunity for active engagement in discussion.
Programme slot
Alterations may be made to the programme affecting the time of sessions prior to the conference. To keep up-to-date with any developments affecting the conference programme, we suggest checking the conference website regularly.
Presenter guidance
Please find below some guidance which will assist you in preparing to present at the conference
Concurrent Presentation Guidelines
Guidelines for First Time Presenters
Poster Presentation Guidelines
Symposium Presentation Guidelines
Vipers Guidelines
If you have any queries which aren’t answered by the above guidelines please contact education@rcn.org.uk
Is this conference for me?
This conference is open to:
- all nurses, pre and post registration student nurses, nursing support workers and allied health professionals working in an academic, clinical and professional setting in the UK and beyond
- established and aspiring professionals working at a range of levels in the NHS, public, independent and voluntary sectors, universities and colleges.
Attending this conference provides a quality assured opportunity to improve nursing practice. Learn, network, discuss and debate the challenges facing the future nursing workforce.
You can attend this conference as a presenting or non-presenting delegate.
Through attending this event delegates will be able to:
- identify new approaches to professional practice in health and social care nursing strategies
- analyse strategies and education models for sustaining and developing the workforce
- apply an understanding of the value of learner and educator partnerships to professional nursing education
- discuss leadership to support quality improvement and innovation in contemporary nursing education practice
- accrue CPD hours to count towards your revalidation
- reflect on the findings and evidence provided by peers and explore how you can use this knowledge to improve your professional practice
- build new alliances and make new contacts whilst showcasing the work of your employer
- engage with the RCN Education Forum and leading educators to ask the questions you want answers to.
Need a helping hand with securing time off or funding to attend? Please download these helpful hints and tips.
Here’s what some of our past attendees thought;
“This was my first RCN conference and I didn’t know what to expect! It was extremely informative and thought provoking! As a ward manager it has given me an insight into the role of clinical educators and the importance of working collaboratively with them to improve student experience and post qualification recruitment and retention.”
“Superbly organised, well thought out and planned sessions. Excellent networking event – great built in opportunities to mingle, reflect, discuss. Full of content. Rooms a little hot at times. Support staff need a very big pat on the back and a thank you.”
“It was a great event for me (my first RCN event and my first Education event). It was well organised, well-run and had a good range of topics. Thank you so much for stoking my passion and inspiring me.”
“Thank you for the organised event, hospitality and great content that is not only relevant but also, an important reminder of what is at the core of nursing. All those sat in the room are the nurses that will shape the future workforce.”
“I enjoyed attending, I made some new contacts”.
We look forward to being joined by our exhibitors* at the RCN Education Forum National Conference:
Clinical Pocket Reference Limited
Elsevier LTD Global Financial Service Centre
There are a number of ways you can get involved, from networking to raise your profile to tailored commercial packages to help achieve specific objectives. Please contact the exhibitions team on 020 7647 3959 or email exhibitions@rcn.org.uk.
*RCN events are sponsored by our industry partners by way of sponsored exhibition booths and/or sponsored symposia. Industry partners have not influenced the rest of the event’s educational content or the choice of speakers.
VisitYork have negotiated preferential accommodation rates at a variety of hotels in York. Rates and booking instructions are given in the information including booking deadlines for certain hotels. Please check this information to inform yourself of any relevant deadlines. All delegate accommodation bookings are made direct with the chosen hotel.
Further information about places to see in York, eateries, transport, accessibility and the Visitor Information Centre can be found below the Accommodation information on the VisitYork webpage. Please note further information is being added to the site as at 5 February 2024.
If you have any queries regarding the conference or call for abstract process, please contact the Events Team via:
Email: education@rcn.org.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 7647 3577
If your query relates to registering for the conference or an existing registration, please contact the Events Registration Team (available Mon-Fri 9am – 4.30pm:
Email: eventsreg@rcn.org.uk
Tel: Tel:+44 (0)29 2054 6460
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Page last updated - 19/04/2024
