guidance: Considerations when Purchasing OH Software
Occupational Health Awareness Week 2024
SOM Commercial Providers Event & SOM OH Awards 2024
Upcoming webinar: Safeguarding the health and safety of health workers
Clockwise from top right: SOM President Dr Lanre Ogunyemi and Master of the Apothecaries with Dame Lesley Regan and SOM Diversity and Inclusion vice-chair Emma Persand at
Introduction by SOM Honorary Treasurer
Highlights from SOM/FOM Conference
SOM and NSOH Mentoring Scheme
SOM Publications Catalogue
Considerations when Purchasing Occupational Health Software
The SOM Podcast: Occupational Health Placements
SOM Potential Membership Survey
SOM’s key messages for the new Government
Occupational Health Awareness Week 2024
RCN and SOM Joint Occupational Health Nursing Conference 2024
SOM Leadership Conference 2024
Suggested changes in Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
Occupational Health News
Upcoming SOM Special Interest Groups
SOM Commercial Providers Event & Occupational Health Awards 2024
Caring for those who care: Safeguarding the health, safety, and wellbeing of health workers
Upcoming SOM Webinars
SOM Regional Group Updates and Workplace Visits
About SOM and New Membership Category: Professional Partner Membership
Introduction
Dr Sheetal Chavda, Honorary Treasurer
This year’s SOM/FOM conference was fantastic, with an amazing line-up of speakers, including Dr Will Ponsonby with a captivating Thackrah lecture on artisanal mining. Other clinical updates were on epilepsy and diabetes; and Dr Louise Hancock spoke about her research on workplace infection risks in tumour patients, winning the Peter Taylor award. The conference was held at incredible venues: Titanic Hotel and Museum and SS Nomadic. I would urge anyone to go and visit the city at least once!
At the SOM AGM, my finance update was of course riveting - see the SOM annual report here. Sadly, all good things must come to an end and I am now in the last year of my 6 year term (ending June 2025) as SOM Treasurer and would welcome you getting in touch about this wonderful opportunity if you are a member of SOM. It’s a great way to contribute to OH in a wider capacity and meet other clinicians who are passionate about OH. Contact me or SOM for more information.
Deadline extended to Saturday 31st August
Highlights from SOM/FOM Conference, Belfast
Top left: Dr Ken Addley at the SOM AGM. Top right: Past Chair of SOM North East Regional Group Dr Danny Wong accepts the 2023 Regional Group of the Year award from SOM President Dr Lanre Ogunyemi. Bottom left: SOM Board members Dr Lanre Oguneymi, Dr Sheetal Chavda, Dr Rae Chang, Dr Vicky Mason, Dr Shriti Pattani, Prof Neil Greenberg and Dr Lucy Wright. Bottom right: Dr Delia Skan accepting Honorary Membership of SOM.
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.
• Building confidence for a move.
• Widening professional networking within the specialty with the introduction to membership and networking groups.
• Advice on further training and education within OH.
• Improving the chances of obtaining a role in OH with CV and interview skills.
Lauren Widdowson (Registered Nurse)
Latest publication: Considerations when Purchasing Occupational Health Software
It is now expected for occupational health (OH) services to use some form of electronic record management system.
SOM Publications
Catalogue
A compilation of SOM publications, covering key guidelines and reports on Occupational and Workplace Health. View the catalogue here and click on the publication titles to view the documents.
The right software programme will help you comply with data protection regulations, recordkeeping standards and audit clinical protocols – to work more effectively, deliver management information and, as a result, provide a demonstrable return on investment.
There are many software providers to choose from, with different configurations and technologies. SOM has released a guide to choosing one that suits your needs. View the guide here.
The SOM Podcast: Occupational Health Placements
In this episode of the SOM Podcast, we discuss occupational health placements and their role in growing the interest and understanding of occupational health (OH). Our panel of experts, Janet O’Neill, Deputy Head of the National School of Occupational Health, Karen Lever, Head of the Occupational Health Department at Keele University, and David Nti-Jackson, Clinical Practice Lecturer at Keele University are joined by students Shannon and Skye, who share their experiences of taking part in the OH placements programme at Keele.
The conversation delves into strategies for workforce development, the challenges and benefits of student placements, and the vital collaboration between universities and employers. Discover how these initiatives are shaping the future of occupational health and why it’s an exciting career path for aspiring healthcare professionals. Hosted by Steve Randall.
Listen to the episode here.
SOM Potential Membership Survey
If you are not currently a SOM member, we would love to hear from you. We are currently investigating ways to improve our membership and this survey will help us find out more about what potential members want. Upon completion of the Membership Survey you have the option to receive a discount code for joining as a new member.
Complete the survey here.
SOM’s key messages for the new Government
For many years, SOM has been collaborating closely with policymakers from all parties to advocate for occupational health.
Labour won a majority in the 2024 General Election held on 4th July. For many years, SOM has been collaborating closely with policymakers from all parties to advocate for occupational health (OH) and we have continued to do so post-Election. SOM is ready to speak with anyone wanting to learn about the importance of OH and the need for universal access and will also seek to facilitate site visits for MPs or candidates where possible, so they can experience the work of OH teams first-hand.
SOM’s key messages for the future Governmentattached.
Key ask - Universal Access to Occupational Health
Currently only 45% of UK workers have access to some form of OH.[1] Universal Access will boost the UK’s economy as it will reduce the number of
people who are not in work due to ill health (this level has spiked by over 400k to over 2.6M since the pandemic)[2]. A national Occupational Health strategy would cover:
Policy changes
• Investment to support people stay and return to work, linking primary care with community assets, and work and pensions staff and occupational health in a tiered framework
• Every local area to deliver a work and health strategy to strategically support people living with ill health return to work and stay in work
• Reform of the fit note to support people quickly back to work through case note reviews and rapid access
OH workforce
• An NHS workforce plan that builds a multidisciplinary occupational health workforce that can deliver occupational health advice across all workplaces
• A National Director for Work and Health
• Investment in NHS occupational health capacity to enable health and social care professionals to access the support they need to avoid sickness absence and work related mental ill health
Regulation for employers
• A requirement for larger organisations to invest in workplace health, including occupational health
Investment in research
• A National Centre for Work and Health for evidence generation to inform employers
What you can do
There are a few ways members can help SOM promote the need for occupational health:
1. Support SOM’s work to raise awareness of OH among policymakers and candidates by engaging with social media posts. Likes and comments help posts to get seen by a wider audience.
2. Let SOM know if you can help facilitate an OH site visit. Visits can be a high impact and memorable way to communicate what OH is for and its importance.
3. Contact the MPs in your local constituency and raise with them the importance of OH for keeping people with health conditions in work and the need for universal access. They may be keen to engage, and it may establish a relationship which you can build on. You can contact MPs via social media, their personal websites, or at local events.
4. Tell SOM about any engagement you do. SOM may be able to help amplify your messages or follow up with any new contacts made.
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 career fair is to be held on Wednesday 25th September for doctors and nurses (see details below).
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. A Guide to OH for SMEs was also created, which is 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.
Occupational Health Careers Day
Wednesday 25th September 2024
TfL, 6th Floor, 14 Pier Walk, London SE10 0ES in partnership with the National School of Occupational Health
A great opportunity for anyone looking to find out more about a career in occupational health and medicine.
Occupational Health Nurses and AHPs Careers Morning 10.30am - 12.30pm Register for free here
Occupational Medicine Doctors Careers Afternoon 1.30pm - 4.15pm Register for free here
Bookings now open!
WORK WITH PAIN
About one in three UK adults has pain lasting three months or more, called chronic pain We know that many people with pain need support to stay in work. We do not know which type of support is best or the best way to provide support. In our funded Work with Pain research, led by and given ethical approval by Glasgow Caledonian University, we aim to fill this knowledge gap
We conducted a review of research in this area and are now looking to discuss the findings with professionals working in the UK, who have a role in supporting people with chronic health conditions, including chronic pain. We will consider strategies to support people with chronic pain to be in work
We are specifically interested to speak to:
Policymakers
Clinicians
Employers
Employment support organisations
Occupational health providers
Participation in the study would involve taking part in one online group discussion at a convenient time. Reimbursement would be provided
To find out more or to express interest in taking part, please contact the study team using the details below or scan the QR code
Save the date - SOM Leadership Conference 2024 Building Success in OH
Wednesday 9th October, 9.30am - 4.00pm
RAF Henlow, Bedfordshire, SG16 6DN
“Leadership means the ability to influence the organisation to make positive changes and having a clear vision and to bring people on that journey for you. It also means managing challenging people management in difficult circumstances.”
The SOM Leadership Conference will be an inclusive day for all disciplines offering inspiration to develop your leadership skills. The objectives are to:
• Understand and articulate to others what leadership is in OH
• Reflect on the benefits of managing upwards and leading from behind
• Take away practical tips and steps, with examples, as to how OH can influence organisations to make positive change
Key presentations include: Skills and competences to be a leader; Building a successful OH service; What do we mean by Leadership in Occupational Health? There will be ‘Practical Tools’ session in the afternoon covering topics such as: Dealing with difficult people management; Successful policy writing; Choosing wellbeing products and services that work.
Registration open soon at www.som.org.uk/events
Suggested changes in Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
SOM is calling for support for people to stay in, and return to, work though investment in universal access to occupational health.
This should be alongside support (such as workfocused coaching) to help people, such as those with mental health conditions, remain at or return to work.
Professor Neil Greenberg, President Elect of SOM said: “Health and work conversations should be carried out by professionals who have a good understanding of the relationship between work and health with easy aaccess to input from an occupational health specialist for more complex cases.”
Only half the UK population has access to occupational health (OH). There is a strong economic case to ensure that there is access to OH for all employees.
There should be tax incentives to encourage employers to invest in OH advice; a National Clinical Director for Work and Health to lead this work and investment in the OH workforce to facilitate universal access.
See Open Consultation: Modernising support for independent living: the health and disability green paper.
Occupational Health News
Closer relationship needed between primary care and occupational settingsresponse to BMJ article here.
How can the next government improve the health of the workforce and boost growth? - The Health Foundation article here.
Workplace and Public Health Roundtable - 5 key priorities - see post on LinkedIn here.
Measuring What Matters: Assessing Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing here.
Upcoming SOM Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
• Friday 9th August - Neurodiversity, 10-11am
• Tuesday 20th August - Women’s Health, 10-11am
• Monday 2nd September - Pensions, 3-4pm
• Tuesday 3rd September - Drugs and Alcohol, 2-3pm
• Wednesday 4th September - AHPs, 10-11am
• Thursday 5th September - Mining, 10-11am
• Monday 9th September - Sleep, 12.30-1.15pm
Introducing two new SIGS! Want to be a part of...
Audit SIG - Aiming to produce a guidance document with template audit forms for clinical assessments and record keeping following a discussion and consensus amongst OH professionals as to what is feasible and what is required.
Sole practitioner SIG - Assisting independents on business start up, business documentation required, insurance when working for self or for others as an associate and those that want to apply for an accreditation be it SEQOHS or RISQS or an ISO and where to start.
Interested in joining? Contact Nick.Pahl@som.org.uk
Registration is open for the SOM Commercial Providers Event and SOM Occupational Health Awards 2024. Speakers include Professor Diana Kloss, Professor Neil Greenberg and Dr Mike Goldsmith. The Commercial Providers Event will open with tea and coffee at 2pm for a 2.30pm start. The event will draw to a close at 4.30pm for discussion, ending at 5pm.
The Commercial Providers Event will be followed at 5pm by the SOM Occupational Health Awards with drinks and canapes, which will run from 5-7pm. The Reception will include drinks, nibbles and our annual SOM OH awards ceremony. Come along and celebrate what has been achieved by us all this year, meet old friends and new in a relaxed setting.
Tickets cost £75. Register here.
If you would like to attend the SOM Occupational Health Awards only, click here to register for £25 per ticket. Sponsor an award category, or multiple, to receive:
Two complimentary places to the awards ceremony plus logo credits on the awards screen
Logo/name credit in SOM e-news and on website
Logo/name credit on all emails promoting the awards sent to over 33,000 contacts
If you’re interested in sponsoring an award, contact Mimi.Eyeoyibo@som.org.uk for more information and prices.
Caring for those who care: Safeguarding the health, safety, and wellbeing of health workers
Thursday 5th September, 1.00 - 2.00pm
FREE SOM Webinar
In the ninth of SOM’s “Basics in OH” webinar series, Dr. Dorothy Ngajilo, Occupational Health Specialist will cover safeguarding the health, safety, and wellbeing of health workers.
Health workers play a crucial role in providing quality healthcare services to communities around the world. However, the health sector, which is supposed to restore, protect, and promote health, is also among the most hazardous sectors for the health and safety of workers. Health workers are exposed to a wide range of occupational hazards, including biological, chemical, physical, ergonomic, and psychosocial hazards, including violence, which can affect their health and wellbeing.
The protection of the health and safety of health workers should be part of the core business of the health sector: to protect and restore health without causing harm to patients and workers. Safeguarding the health, safety, and wellbeing of health workers contributes to improving the productivity, job satisfaction, and retention of health workers. It also facilitates the regulatory compliance of health facilities with national laws and regulations on occupational health and safety, considering the specific working conditions and occupational hazards in the sector.
Speaker Bio
Dr. Dorothy Ngajilo is an Occupational Medicine Specialist working with the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Occupational and Workplace Health Programme. She is responsible for supporting WHO technical work in occupational health, including development and implementation of occupational health and safety programmes for health workers in different countries. Prior to joining WHO, Dr. Ngajilo worked in the Ministry of Health of her native country, Tanzania, as an Occupational Medicine Physician and a technical advisor to the Tanzanian Workers Compensation Fund (WCF) and the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OSHA), providing technical support on all matters related to occupational health and safety. Dr. Ngajilo is a medical doctor with Occupational Medicine specialty training from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She is also a Fellow of the College of Public Health Medicine (Occupational Medicine) of South Africa.
Upcoming SOM Webinars
View the full list of upcoming SOM webinars 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 with RCOT: Occupational Therapy Perspectives in Occupational Health Leadership: A Multidisciplinary Approach Webinar FREE For All
Tuesday 3rd September 12-1pm - register here
• Neurodiversity - working at home challenges FREE For All
Monday 16th September 12-1pm - register here
• Choosing wellbeing services FREE For All
Monday 23rd September 3-4pm - register here
• The role of occupational health to support driver health FREE For All
Wednesday 2nd October 3-4pm - register here
• SOM Basics in OH webinar series no. 10: From Risk assessment to Health surveillance - a journey explained FREE For All
Monday 14th October 12-1pm - register here
• Domestic Abuse Awareness & Supporting in the Workplace FREE For All
Wednesday 20th November 12-1pm - register here
Fill your OH role by advertising through us
~ Trusted Service: Our job ads consistently fill vacancies across the OH sector
~ Maximum Visibility: Ads are featured on the SOM website, in our monthly eNews, and sent directly to SOM members via a dedicated mailshot ~ Broad Exposure: A vast reach of over 33,000 health contacts across social media Fixed fees from £798 + VAT. Head to www.som.org.uk/Advertise-OH-Jobs for more information. If you have any questions or would
Highlights from SOM North East Regional Group Symposium
The SOM North East Regional Group held a symposium on Wednesday 22nd May. The meeting comprised a preview of posters accepted for presentation at the SOM/FOM annual conference. Presenters showcased their work including clinical interventions, audits, innovative automatic robotic process and novel educational education projects. Following the meeting, a presentation was given by the community liaison manager for Gosforth Civic Theatre. Thank you to all who attended.
Regional groups at SOM provide a unique, relevant, and lively forum for members, aiming to develop their knowledge and encourage discussion and networking through social events and workplace visits. For more information click here
SOM visit to Royal Courts of Justice
SOM hosted a workplace visit to the Royal Courts of Justice in July. The visit included a presentation and questions on Occupational Health, followed by a tour of the building. This was a great opportunity for members to gain some insight into the Ministry of Justice OH and Employee Assistance Programme HQ function.
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.
New Membership Category: Professional Partner Membership
Work in HR, Wellbeing, Employee assistance or responsible for workplace health? SOM is delighted to offer Professional Partner Membership, to keep you up to date with the latest workplace health resources and guidance – from mental health to neurodiversity and Long COVID. For only £50 per year, membership offers knowledge, tools, and connections to help you do the best job you can in improving health and work. It is not open to occupational health or other health professionals who are welcome to Join as Full, International, Student or Associate members. Benefits:
The introduction of this new membership category demonstrates SOM’s commitment to supporting as many organisations and people as possible in its aim to improve workplace health for all. Join us - at www.som.org.uk
