SOM Magazine - Spring 2024

Occupational Health Conference 2024 Registration open

Latest SOM guidance on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

RSM and SOM Joint Meeting: Empowering women at work

What SMEs need from Occupational Health

SPRING MAGAZINE 2024

Top left: SOM workplace visit to Kepak abattoir Top right: Malaysian colleagues visit SOM office at the RCP London Bottom left: SOM OHA & AHP visit to Houses of Parliament Bottom right: Central Southern England Regional Group Spring meeting

Contents

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Introduction by Dr Lanre Ogunyemi

Page 1

SOM/FOM Occupational Health Conference 2024

Page 2

Making fit notes more effective - SOM response to the PM’s statement

Page 4

SOM Guidance for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Page 6

Employing disabled people: Disability Confident and CIPD manager’s guide

Page 6

The SOM Podcast: Disability Passports

Page 7

£1.5 Million investment to improve in-work health services as part of government drive to tackle inactivity

Page 7

Reforming policy to promote good work and health - HR and OH working together

Page 8

SOM and RSM joint meeting: Empowering women at work - Navigating health and well-being in the workplace

Page 10

Occupational Health Awareness Week 2024

Page 11

RCN and SOM joint Occupational Health Nursing Conference 2024

Page 11

Departments for Work and Pensions and Health and Social Care Voluntary Framework for Occupational Health

Page 12

SOM and NSOH Mentoring Scheme

Page 13

SOM welcomes reversal of cuts to Practitioner Health

Page 14

Occupational Health News

Page 15

Upcoming SOM Special Interest Groups

Page 15

What SMEs need from Occupational Health

Page 16

Work and Health Services Webinar 3 - Service Essentials

Page 18

Upcoming SOM Webinars

Page 19

My career journey - becoming an Occupational Health Nurse

Page 20

SOM OHA & AHP visit to Houses of Parliament

Page 22 SOM Quarterly Magazine: Spring 2024

Introduction

Dr Lanre Ogunyemi, SOM President

SOM is a member of the expert group (chaired by Dame Carol Black) tasked with delivering a voluntary framework of minimum occupational health (OH) for businesses.

Discussions included a need to leverage good practice and overcome any misconceptions of OH by some small and medium -sized enterprises (SMEs). The aim is for a user-friendly framework that increases employer awareness of the benefits of OH - to retain employees and actively engage employers and employees in initiatives/ interventions that benefit health and wellbeing. Do contact me at president@som.org.uk with your thoughts, specifically: 1. Top tips and practical guidance from OH for SMEs – what are the key bits of guidance you use with your clients e.g. Mental health resources from Mind; ROI calculator; SOM resources e.g. on neurodiversity; Physical health e.g. maternity health.

2. Please complete the Occupational Health Case Study Questionnaire which will only take 8 minutes to complete.

SOM’s Patron, Lord Blunkett, hosted a roundtable lunch at the House of Lords - attended by OH, HR, Business, Policy and Economic leaders. We discussed challenges of economic inactivity, inclusive work, the benefits of an integrated approach, primary prevention and other aspects of work-health problems facing our society. Read more about this on page 8.

som.org.uk

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JOIN US IN BELFAST REGISTRATION IS OPEN Registration is now open for Occupational Health 2024. This year’s SOM/FOM annual conference takes place in Belfast on the 20th–21st June with the theme of “Leading OH into the Future”.

Key speakers include Dr David McLoughlin CBE, Dr Dipti Patel OBE and Professor Jo Yarker with presentations covering a variety of topics, including respiratory, cardiology, neurology, diabetes, travel health, toxicology, leadership, OH multidisciplinary teams and OH psychology.

Visit the website to view the latest programme, plus venue and hotel information, the social programme and details of the workplace visits.

We are delighted to be staging this Conference at Titanic Belfast - the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience and a must-see on any visit to Belfast and Northern Ireland.

Delegates will have the opportunity to visit the galleries of Titanic Belfast as part of the Welcome Reception.

There are endless things to do in Belfast, from historic landmarks and museums to shopping and entertainment venues.

As the gateway to Northern Ireland, Belfast is perfectly positioned for sightseeing tours to Giant’s Causeway, Game of Thrones filming locations and road trips beyond Belfast. Come and explore after the Conference!

Don’t miss: • Clinical Updates • Interactive workshops • International Group • Two networking opportunities • Workplace visits taking place on 19th June

Register today!

Making fit notes more effective - SOM response to the PM’s statement occupational health and there is a pressing need for Government to fund occupational health services to ensure that potential workers with health difficulties can remain at or return to work.

Prime Minister Rt Hon Rishi Sunak, MP announced plans on Friday 19th April to review the fit note system for people not well enough to work.

Fit note certification should include an active review, with a triaged referral to an occupational health professional to support people remaining at, or returning to, work.

A lack of basic skills in occupational health is a barrier to using the fit note to its full potential. SOM is calling for fit notes to be reviewed by health professionals trained in occupational health, with occupational health included in clinical and medical training curricula.

Only 50% of UK employees have access to 4

As the Prime Minister states, the fit note is not being used to its full potential, unfortunately with fit notes generally focusing on the ‘not fit’ for work option, rather than the ‘may be fit for work’ section. Over a third of fit notes are issued for five weeks or longer, by which time around one in five people will never return to work.

When people see their GP team, they can often expect an all or nothing ‘sick note’. This makes it harder to manage expectations and come to a shared decision about using the ‘may be fit for work’ option. Discussing the merits of the ‘may be fit for work’ section, or a shorter review period before reassessment can be perceived as punitive by patients who expect to get ‘signed off’ and find it difficult to understand why their GP team would challenge this. That is why SOM is calling for tailored occupational health advice to be made available to patients who receive the fit note - with better use of the ‘may be fit’ for work section.

SOM Quarterly Magazine: Spring 2024

“NHS professionals should be

resourced to have time to have work related conversations; and employers should offer evidence-based support to people. ” The Prime Minister also followed up comments made by Mel Stride, MP, the Work and Pensions Secretary of State, who recently stated his concern about the impact of mental health issues on work and suggested the normal anxieties of life are not mental health issues. SOM believe that employees still require good support from managers, and occupational health, if a health conversation is needed. There is very strong evidence that workers who have a manager who enquires about, and supports, their health enjoy better mental health and are likely to be more productive.

resourced to have time to have work related conversations; and employers should offer evidence-based support to people.

A leading researcher in this area, Gwenllian Wynne-Jones, Professor of Nursing at Keele University, said: “There is a clear need for better support for those struggling at work through better access to occupational health. However, we must ensure that we don’t disassociate the health system and healthcare professionals from supporting people to work. Effective management of sickness absence requires all stakeholders to be engaged in supporting people to manage their health at work.”

See: • Disability benefits system to be reviewed as PM outlines “moral mission” to reform welfare • Fit Note Reform: call for evidence

People who do have medically diagnosed mental health issues need appropriate support and a working environment where they can disclose their condition. For many, work is part of that support. We know good work is good for you.

The UK can achieve both workplace productivity gains and good wellbeing for employees. NHS professionals should be som.org.uk

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Latest SOM guidance on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss SOM’s Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Special Interest Group (SIG) with UKHCA has released guidance on Interpreting an Audiogram for Indications of Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. View the guide here.

Employing disabled people: Disability Confident and CIPD manager’s guide A reference tool for managers to use in their daily work, providing key information and advice on the employment of disabled people. The knowledge and confidence of managers are the most common challenge organisations experience in managing people with a disability or long-term health condition. This guide aims to support managers and anyone who leads another individual or team in creating an inclusive working environment and effectively managing employees with disabilities or health conditions. It covers a range of topics, including legal responsibilities, making adjustments, recruiting and retaining disabled talent, and managing performance and development. It emphasises the importance of inclusive employment practices to support employees with disabilities or health conditions. Download here.

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SOM Quarterly Magazine: Spring 2024

The SOM Podcast: Disability Passports

In this episode of the SOM Podcast, Angela Matthews, Head of Policy and Research at Business Disability Forum and Mandy Whalley, founder of The Empowerment Passport™ and registered occupational therapist, discuss the need for and many benefits of disability passports.

Angela and Mandy explain how these passports are helping employees with disabilities and long-term conditions manage their workplace adjustments. They provide an overview of the history and current use of disability passports and insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by different passport models. Hosted by Steve Randall.

Listen to the episode here.

£1.5 Million investment to improve in-work health services as part of government drive to tackle inactivity Reforms to occupational health services will be shaped through a £1.5m innovation fund. The five projects are to share £1.5 million funding to boost occupational health services for small and medium-sized businesses. Artificial intelligence and new technology are at the heart of revolution including expansion of remote services, digital health hubs, and Long COVID support. New support comes as inactivity due to long term sickness increases by 735,000 since the pandemic. View full details here. som.org.uk

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Reforming policy to promote good work and health - HR and OH working together A SOM CIPD House of Lords roundtable on 28th February Lord Blunkett and Lord Bethell emphasised the critical role of occupational health (OH) to help address the record 2.6 million people who do not work due to long-term sickness and disability. They expressed concerns about people leaving the workplace, particularly young people, leading to productivity loss and negative impacts on society. It was questioned whether the situation was uniquely British, highlighting potential issues with management.

Ben Willmott from CIPD highlighted the challenges of economic inactivity and emphasised the need for inclusive work to encourage participation. Government policy now and after election needs to be central to creating a good work agenda which needs to be part of future industrial strategy. He highlighted CIPD pilots demonstrating the low capability of small firms in people management and suggested changes in government policies, such as improving access to OH services. He also suggested that making changes to Statutory Sick Pay could improve return to work. There is also potential for HSE to improve enforcement of the management standards in relation to managing psychological workplace risks. There should be a focus on how to help small firms recruit and retain employees - looking at job design, good people management and how to help and support people in work and prevent them from falling out of employment.

Dr Kevin Teoh from Birkbeck stressed the importance of an integrated approach, involving HR and OH working together. He advocated for primary prevention and a better understanding of underlying issues causing poor mental health, emphasising the interdependencies between OH and HR. He expressed his strong interest in workplace 8

design.

Other points made included: •

The need for improved government and HSE capacity to deliver in this area and the need for business to be intelligent consumers to purchase OH. A new OH expert group chaired by Dame Carol Black was highlighted and a suggestion to reform the tax system to support health at work.

•

There is a need for an improved OH offer with consistency and clarity of what is available in the marketplace. Using the quality standard for OH of SEQOHS which has recently been revised to be as user friendly as possible. OH also needs to move to be seen as a preventive rather than a punitive offer.

•

The importance of business-to-business conversations between larger businesses and their supply chains and considering the biopsychosocial elements of OH within the wellbeing ecosystem. Examples from Jaguar Land Rover and BT showed that the return on investment on OH is clear.

•

That Managers often do not feel confident to action reasonable adjustments.

•

The need for evidence-based practices.

The roundtable agreed there needed to be a collaborative approach between HR and OH within a wider ecosystem of workplace wellbeing, addressing Small and Medium Enterprises challenges of access to OH and the need for bold government policies and tax incentives in promoting good work and health.

The speakers highlighted the importance of a comprehensive approach, prompt action, and evidence-based practices in scaling up OH. SOM Quarterly Magazine: Spring 2024

Empowering women at work: Navigating health and well-being in the workplace

Tuesday 14th May, 9am-5pm Royal Society of Medicine

Last chance to book!

We are pleased to invite you to a key event focused on women’s health and well-being in the workplace. The Annual SOM Apothecaries Lecture will be delivered by Dame Lesley Regan DBE, Women’s Health Ambassador for England, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Imperial College London. The event will delve into the interplay of women’s hormonal physiology and discuss the challenges of menopause, inequality and discrimination. Through expert-led discussions, attendees will gain valuable insights into the physiological aspects of hormonal fluctuations, and mental resilience factors. Presentations delivered by key speakers include: •

Shaheen Khazali, Consultant Gynaecologist, Endometriosis Surgeon, The Lister Hospital.

Endometriosis affects one in ten women in the workplace. An overview and latest developments.

Emma Persand, Director, Lemur Health Ltd. Breaking barriers: Exploring cultural factors

•

influencing health and work outcomes.

Gosia Bowling, Emotional Wellbeing National Lead, Nuffield Health. The L Word – Living not

•

Languishing.

Discounted rate for SOM members. For further details and to book, visit the RSM website here.

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SOM Quarterly Magazine: Spring 2024

Occupational Health Awareness Week 2024 23rd - 29th September The focus of this year’s Occupational Health Awareness Week is explaining what occupational health is and the value it provides to workplace health. Resources will be produced and links made with new Journal of Occupational Medicine articles and marketing leads in OH companies to amplify the week. A careers fair is to be held on 25th September for doctors and nurses.

Last year, the week provided resources to engage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), who are five times less likely to have OH support than large businesses. SOM produced a 15-minute and 2-minute film to introduce OH to SMEs – these films are still available here.

COHPA published a Guide to OH for SMEs, which is also still available on our SME page. These free resources are available to use, distribute and share, to promote on social media or to clients. You can read a roundup of last year’s activities here.

RCN and SOM joint Occupational Health Nursing Conference 2024 We are pleased to announce the popular RCN and SOM joint Occupational Health Nursing Conference returns for the seventh year in November.

This hybrid conference will cover a broad range of topics designed to support the continuing professional development of occupational health nursing professionals.

Visit the website to register your interest and receive an email alert as soon as booking opens and the programme is announced.

som.org.uk

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Departments for Work and Pensions and Health and Social Care Voluntary Framework for Occupational Health This aims to equip employers with tools to support employee health and wellbeing and to improve business productivity. They are keen to identify examples that could be included in the framework that bring to life the business benefits of investing in occupational health, and improvements to employees’ health and wellbeing at work. Please complete the Occupational Health Case Study Questionnaire which will only take 8 minutes to complete. The responses will be used to develop case studies around the use of occupational health in the workplace.

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SOM Quarterly Magazine: Spring 2024

Mentoring into Occupational Heal th Are you a registered health professional interested in a move into Occupational Health?

SOM and the NSOH are hosting a free mentoring service for those considering a move into a career within Occupational Health. The service is committed to fostering growth, instilling confidence and nurturing success. Our mentors are trained and experienced professionals within the multidisciplinary team of OH. Use of the mentor service will enable you to explore and understand a career in Occupational Health.

We will help you to decide if this is the career for you and if so, support your transition with all the tools you need.

From background reading to CV and interview skills, our mentors provide guidance individually, in group sessions or both.

As a mentee you will receive a set number of sessions with your choice of mentor plus access to group mentoring.

Benefits of mentoring include: •

Provision of an understanding of OH.

•

Reliable information and resources to prepare and upskill.

•

Identifying transferable skills.

•

An understanding of the task requirements within OH and varying delivery mechanisms.

•

Signposting to shadow opportunities.

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Building confidence for a move.

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Widening professional networking within the specialty with the introduction to membership and networking groups.

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Advice on further training and education within OH.

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Improving the chances of obtaining a role in OH with CV and interview skills.

Find out more at https://ohcareers.info/

SOM welcomes reversal of cuts to Practitioner Health SOM is delighted that cuts to Practitioner Health have been reversed. NHS England (NHSE) announced in April that the service would be extended by 12 months while a wider review is carried out. NHS Practitioner Health is a free, confidential service for doctors and dentists across England with mental illness and addiction problems, who are working or looking to return to clinical practice. In a statement, Dr Navina Evans, NHS England’s chief workforce officer, said: “Following discussions with Practitioner Health on their current service for secondary care doctors, dentists and senior NHS staff, we have jointly agreed to extend the service by 12 months for both existing and new patients, while we carry out a wider review to ensure that all NHS staff groups have the mental health support they need.”​

health staff, that the NHS will be able to fulfil its commitment to the nation to provide a high standard of care to the UK population.

In SOM’s view it was unhelpful to announce the ending of a specific mental health provision for NHS secondary care staff, without publishing details of the clear pathways for all NHS staff SOM believes that all NHS staff should have to access similar, or better provision. SOM timely access to evidence based mental believe that a dedicated NHS staff mental health healthcare. SOM acknowledge that the Government has rightly determined that military service, working alongside dedicated specialist occupational health provision, should be an veterans deserve a dedicated mental health service (called Op Courage in England with similar essential element of the NHS people promise. services in the devolved administrations) because The causes, and management, of mental health difficulties can often be complex and having a of the sacrifices they have made to protect specialised treatment service like Practitioner the nation. SOM believe that NHS staff made Health is essential when local occupational health similar sacrifices during the COVID pandemic, services are undertaking assessments to advise and indeed they always have, and continue, to on health status in relation to patient safety. provide a vital service for the whole nation in challenging circumstances which pose a real and distinct threat to their mental health. SOM believe Investment in occupational health in the NHS that it is thus right that NHS staff should also have must be a part of plans going forward as part of access to dedicated mental health services not the Growing Occupational Health and Wellbeing just because it is morally the right thing to do, but Strategy that NHS England agreed in January because it is only by having sufficient, mentally 2023.

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SOM Quarterly Magazine: Spring 2024

Occupational Health News Centre for Mental Health: The economic and social costs of mental ill health - report here.

Acas Flexible Working Code of Practice - updated here.

What Works Wellbeing: What we know about working age and workplace wellbeing 2014-2024 - blog here.

Chronic pain study - looking to talk to people who support those with health conditions (including chronic pain) who are struggling at work, are out of work, or are on short or long-term sick leave (less or more than 4 weeks) because of chronic pain. Participation involves one online group discussion. Reimbursement provided. Interested? Contact workstudy@gcu.ac.uk or call 0141 331 3831.

Research project aiming to sustain employability for people over the age of 50 with chronic musculoskeletal disorders - looking for organisations/managers/employers to join a stakeholder group. Interested? Email G.skamagki@bham.ac.uk HMRC campaign - Don’t Get Caught Out claiming expenses - If you spend your own money on work expenses, that aren’t already covered by your employer, HMRC may owe you a tax refund - see here and online tool for checking eligibility in making a claim.

Upcoming SOM Special Interest Groups • Friday 10th May - Neurodiversity, 10am • Friday 10th May - Long term conditions including Long COVID, 1.30pm • Monday 13th May - Sleep, 12.30pm • Monday 13th May - Portfolio, 5pm • Friday 17th May - DOcc Med, 2pm • Monday 20th May - Marketing OH, 3pm • Wednesday 22nd May - NIHL, 2pm Interested in joining? Contact Nick.Pahl@som.org.uk som.org.uk

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What SMEs need from Occupational Health

By Karin Brawn

Spare a thought for the small business owner. They must secure a continuing revenue stream and stay ahead of the curve. They must also know about health and safety, risk, employment law, tax, and environmental impact.

SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) face the additional challenge of escalating sickness absence and employees presenting with ever more complex physical and mental ill-health, which can negatively impact employee wellbeing.

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When resources are squeezed and information can be hard to come by, how can occupational health (OH) help? OH supports employees to return to work when physical or mental illness or injury is preventing this. It provides further guidance about workplace wellbeing with advice on adjustments etc. to support employee recovery. OH can ensure that employees do not find themselves thrown straight back into an unhealthy working environment. It makes sense that SMEs consult OH early and consider a more enabling approach to sickness and disability. An OH helpline trial for small businesses proved that OH could provide invaluable signposting to SOM Quarterly Magazine: Spring 2024

resources and an objective voice providing reassurance to those dealing with health issues at work.

So, what do SMEs need from occupational health (OH)? They need more information about what OH does, as they are often unaware it exists. OH provision and what it can offer can be confusing and SMEs are unfamiliar with adjunct services such as vocational rehabilitation, occupational therapists, occupational physiotherapists, technicians, and audiologists.

“ Bringing in OH, which need not be

expensive or complicated, can ensure better performance and a better outcome for all employees, not just the person seeking support. ” How else can OH support SMEs?

or see it as a vehicle simply to get rid of them.

•

Provide a written report that provides quality insight to enable workable solutions.

OH can also advise SMEs about: •

The impact that the working environment might have on employees.

•

How earlier, positive, enabling discussions supported by OH can lead to better outcomes.

•

Whether other professionals such as a physiotherapist, counsellor, or a neurodiversity expert could help.

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Advice on the Access to Work scheme.

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How the insurance industry might also contribute.

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Whether funding is available e.g. via the government’s pilot efforts to incentivise SMEs to use OH.

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Inform SMEs of the range of services provided by OH professionals.

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Provide information about what is needed before an OH consultation. SMEs often do not have job descriptions, risk assessments, As SME owners face continued demands in a complex workplace wellbeing landscape, or formal performance assessment and accessing professional OH support is may need assistance with this. something worth facilitating. Bringing in OH, Explain how to protect confidentiality, gain which need not be expensive or complicated, employee permission, apply for GP health can ensure better performance and a better data etc. outcome for all employees, not just the person seeking support.

Help advise on what to tell employees, so that they do not fear the OH appointment

•

•

Karin Brawn MCIPD MA HRM Karin Brawn HR Follow Karin on LinkedIn

som.org.uk

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Work and Health Services 3 - Service Essentials Monday 13th May, 2.00 - 3.30pm FREE SOM Webinar Join us for the final part of this expert-led webinar series for all those who have a role in planning and delivering integrated Work and Health services, including Integrated Care Boards, Primary Care, Local Authorities, Job Centre Plus, policy-makers and others with an interest in this field.

In partnership with the DWP and DHSC Joint Work and Health Directorate, we have a multidisciplinary line up of speakers, reflecting the multi-disciplinary response needed to address an individual’s full set of barriers and support needs.

Chair – Alexandra Fitzpatrick, Joint Work and Health Directorate • The role of Prevention and Understanding the work and health needs of a local area – Dr Lola Abudu, Health and Wellbeing at the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities • Effective signposting and referral pathways – Dr Shriti Pattani, Occupational Health and Wellbeing NHS England • Working with employers to help them improve their offer – Louise Aston, formerly BITC • Joint summing up at the end of session between SOM and JWHD

Register here.

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SOM Quarterly Magazine: Spring 2024

Upcoming SOM Webinars

View the full list of upcoming SOM webinars here.

• SOM Basics in OH webinar series no. 5: Occupational Hygiene at work, covering asbestos and silica FREE For All Monday 20th May 4-5pm - register here • Art and Occupation. What’s Coming?

Free For All Thursday 30th May 4-5pm - register here • SOM Basics in OH webinar series no. 6: Noise issues at work FREE For All Monday 17th June 4-5pm - register here • Onwards and upwards, the future for OH technicians. A panel discussion on the role and contribution of OH Technicians, challenges and opportunities including education.

FREE For All Tuesday 25th June 3-4pm - register here • SOM Basics in OH webinar series no. 7: Skin issues at work FREE For All Wednesday 10th July 12-1pm - register here • SOM Basics in OH webinar series no. 8: Hand Arm Vibration at work FREE For All Monday 2nd September 12-1pm - register here

som.org.uk

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My career journey - becoming an Occupational Health Nurse

By Ann-Marie Adiku, Occupational Health Nurse, London North West University Healthcare NHS My journey to occupational health (OH) began

of working life and patient care, showing that it

in 2021. My skin condition had flared up to the

is an area essential for everyone.

point where it became difficult to work safely and effectively as a nurse in a clinical setting

With time and with reduced exposure to

with patients. I became a patient, under the

recurrent handwashing, my skin condition

care of Dr Shriti Pattani (SOM Immediate Past

began to improve and respond to treatment

President) and an amazing team of nurses. It

which meant I could consider adjusting back

was a period where, although I felt discouraged

to clinical duties. However, after witnessing

about my nursing journey, I witnessed how OH

and experiencing the care of OH, I began

advocated for me and supported me through

to wonder about a career in OH which I had

a challenging time. Amid the pandemic I felt

never considered previously. Fortunately, a job

seen and heard. After several appointments

opportunity presented itself which I decided to

and meetings, I was redeployed from the ward

go for and was successful at interview.

setting to clinical duties supporting the COVID help desk in OH. My redeployment exposed me

Being part of the team, I can see things in

to how OH contributed and supporting to the

the workplace from a different perspective, a

health and wellbeing of NHS employees in the

preventative aspect. Occupational health (OH)

workplace and how this improves their quality

is a fulfilling place to work, encouraging health promotion and advocating for healthcare

“ Being part of the team,

I can see things in the workplace from a different perspective, a preventative aspect. Occupational health is a fulfilling place to work, encouraging health promotion and advocating for healthcare professionals. ”

professionals. As my experience in OH is developing I have realised the progress and success I can enjoy at the frontiers of Public Health.

Through the NHS Growing Occupational Health & Wellbeing programme, I was given the opportunity to complete a two-week diploma course in OH practice with the Faculty of Occupational Health Medicine (FOM). This

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SOM Quarterly Magazine: Spring 2024

and extending the scope of my professional practice.

I have gained a deep appreciation and understanding of what people in need of such services are experiencing, as well as a respect and admiration for the professionals of OH. Through my ongoing learning from the SCPHN course, I hope to have a positive supportive impact on the lives of those in the workplace as I have experienced through deepened my knowledge; it was a privilege

my own experience with OH.

to learn from a variety of OH professionals with years of experience and to be taught alongside other aspiring OH nurses of different bandings and skill sets. This reinforced the benefits of pursing an OH career.

Subsequently, I continued to build my career and in September 2023, I enrolled at Brunel University to complete the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) PgDip. Going back to university has been a positive experience. Although there are challenges that come with working and studying full time, I am fortunate to have the support of my workplace and family which has been a great source of guidance and encouragement. Within the course, I have been privileged to have the opportunity to be taught by internal and external educators, and the knowledge gained has informed my evidence-based practice, thus improving som.org.uk

Interested in a career in OH? Occupational health (OH) is a rewarding and interesting career, one that allows a good work/life balance. Whatever your background or interest, there is a career in OH that will be perfect for you.

Check out the SOM Careers page for helpful resources and links, a great starting point to a career in OH.

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SOM OHA & AHP visit to Houses of Parliament

Highlights from the workplace visit to the Houses of Parliament on Friday 19th April. The visit included a presentation about working in Multi Disciplinary Teams in the Houses of Parliament followed by a tour of the building.

This event served as a great opportunity for SOM’s Occupational Health Advisor (OHA) and Allied Health Professional (AHP) members to learn and ask questions to help with their CPD. If you have any suggestions for future workplace visits, email Mimi.Eyeoyibo@som.org.uk

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SOM Quarterly Magazine: Spring 2024

About the SOM The Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) is the largest and oldest national professional organisation and with an interest in OH. It demonstrates a commitment to improving health at work, supports professional development and improves future employability enhancing our members’ reputation and employability. Members are part of a multidisciplinary community – including doctors, technicians, nurses, health specialists and other professionals – with access to the information, expertise and learning needed to keep at the forefront of their role.

Members benefit from career development opportunities alongside practical, day-to-day support and guidance, through local and national networks that are open to all. Through its collective voice, SOM advances knowledge, increases awareness and seeks to positively influence the future of OH. Join us - at www.som.org.uk SOM Membership Offer Survey We are currently investigating ways to improve our membership offer. We have created an online survey in the link below which will help us find out more about what potential members want: https://www.surveymonkey. co.uk/r/89J6CSW. If you could help us by completing the survey, that would be great. As a thank you, upon completion of the survey you have the option to receive a discount code for joining the SOM as a new member.

som.org.uk

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