Government cuts to pledges to support the health and social care workforce

SOM is concerned about government cuts to pledges to support the health and social care workforce. There are currently 250,000 vacancies across health and social care. Working conditions in both sectors are challenging, with consequences for sickness absence, retention, and high turnover of staff. Work in health and social care can be high risk and lead to occupational health issues for staff and risk to service users if not managed safely. Workrelated stress and burnout are key reasons for poor retention across health and social care. The majority of social care workers are unlikely to have access to occupational health. Within the NHS, access to occupational health is variable, with primary care staff facing more barriers to access and funding than secondary care staff.

• A policy paper published by the government in April announced that the £500 million workforce investment promised to social care has now been halved.

• The government has confirmed that it will no longer be investing in wellbeing, mental health support and improved occupational health provision for the workforce.

• Changes to QOF guidance for GP practices requires already-stretched practices to interrogate and improve their own workforce wellbeing strategies. This is unlikely to be effective given the system factors driving up demand in general practice, and exonerates NHS England from supporting the general practice workforce, most of whom face barriers to occupational health support.

• The NHS England Growing Occupational Health programme which is leading on routes to more support for staff across the health service is facing significant cuts.

These actions jeopardise the health and capacity of the health and care workforce and will lead to escalating sickness absence and deteriorating retention at a time where service user needs are already not being met.

For the DOccMed and DipOHPrac*,

The Occupational Health Academy, with the support of SOM, presents:

Portfolio Morning, Saturday 19th August 9am-12pm

Will take you through an ideal risk assessment, clinical case and give you ideas for finding a suitable case for your portfolio. You will go through and analyse the FOM portfolio and the type of information needed.

SOM members: £196; non-members £245. Register here.

Unable to attend on the day? You can now purchase the recording at a discounted rate, please click here.

MCQ Weekend, Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th September 9am-5.30pm

Will cover key principles and information for the exam with OH Ethics and Law, Occupational Hygiene, Occupational Medicine and Exam Tips/Past Topics and help you grasp key concepts to improve your knowledge.

SOM members: £340; non-members £425. Register here.

Unable to attend on the day? You can now purchase the recording at a discounted rate, please click here.

Mock Viva Sessions, Saturday 14th or Sunday 22nd October (45 minute individual session)

Will take you through a Mock Viva session in the style and format of the real exam. Written and verbal feedback is given with a chance for you to ask any questions.

SOM members: £156; non-members £195. Register here.

To access the 20% discount, log in to your SOM account before registering. * Could also be utilised for LFOM exam preparation although not specific.