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16 April 2026Webinar
FREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website first).
Prescribed cannabis is now appearing routinely in occupational health practice, including in cases where the consequences of getting it wrong are significant and the demand for clear advice is high.
For many OH professionals, this creates a familiar but uncomfortable position: being asked to make safety judgements in an area where the evidence is limited, policies are often not designed for this level of nuance, and expectations of certainty exceed what the science can deliver.
In this 1.5-hour webinar, Dr Mary Obele and Dr Oli Chapman will examine why medicinal cannabis has become a challenging issue for occupational health, and why commonly relied-upon approaches may provide less reassurance than is often assumed.
The focus is not on advocacy or prohibition, but on how OH professionals can think clearly, reason defensibly and maintain credibility when safety, fairness and uncertainty collide.There will be plenty of time for discussion.
Participants are encouraged to bring questions (nothing patient-specific).
Be prepared to have your thinking challenged and your professional judgement sharpened.This session will be of particular interest to OH physicians, nurses, MROs and others involved in advising on fitness for work, safety-critical roles and workplace substance policies.
Chair: Janet O'Neill
Speakers:Dr Oli Chapman and Dr Mary Obele
As a Specialist Occupational and Environmental Physician, Dr Mary Obele has been a doctor for over twenty years, specialising in health and work. She does medical assessments for various industries, advises on hazards and risks, consults for organisations, lectures at universities and mentors’ new doctors. She is a member of various health committees and panels. At home, her family often has bits of engines in the lounge.FREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website). You will then be sent the join link.
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22 April 2026North West
FOR SOM MEMBERS ONLY
SOM has arranged an exclusive visit of the University of Lancashire Wellness Centre on Wednesday 22nd April 2026 commencing at 2PM.
Spaces are free to SOM members but limited to the first 45 individuals to book on.
The agenda will be as follows:
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM | Welcome & Introductions: Greeting and overview of the agenda
2:15 PM - 2:45 PM | Presentation: Our Vision & Services - Mission, healthcare programmes, and initiatives
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM | Guided Tour - Exploration of the facilities and programmes
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM | Demonstration: Health Check - Overview of a typical health assessment
3:45 PM - 4:30 PM | Q&A & Networking - Open discussion and connection opportunities
4:30 PM | Close
SOM Members ONLY. If you are not a member, please join here https://www.som.org.uk/membership
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23 April 2026West Midlands
Certificate in Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) –
2 day course and examinationDay 1: Thursday 23rd April (Virtual)
Day 2: Tuesday 28th April (Birmingham)Do you want to improve your knowledge and competence in Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome? Join The At Work Partnership for a two-day intensive Certificate in Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome course including examination.
This intensive training for OH professionals examines the requirements for health surveillance for a workforce exposed to hand-transmitted vibration, and the diagnosis and management of an individual with HAVS. It will provide an in-depth understanding of HAVS, and of the OH role in managing issues related to hand-transmitted vibration in the workplace.
Over two days, delegates will learn all aspects of the syllabus for HAVS competence as defined by the FOM including:
- Basic principles
- Legal background
- Workplace assessment
- Health surveillance and clinical assessment
- Occupational health action and adviceThe course will provide a comprehensive understanding of HAVS and the role of OH, enabling qualified OH professionals to clinically assess HAVS-related conditions and to undertake health surveillance. The FOM examination will take place at the end of day 2 of the course.
Course tutors:
Dr Roger Cooke, the course leader, is a consultant in occupational medicine, and a leading expert in hand-arm vibration syndrome.
Three other expert tutors play an important role in the teaching on this HAVS course:
Andrew Cooke, clinical director at Clarity Healthcare
Dr Susanna Gillibrand, independent consultant occupational physician
Dr Bernard Yew, medical director, PAM GroupWho is the training designed for?
This training is designed for OH nurses and doctors, who want to improve their knowledge, skills and competence in HAVS and gain the FOM certificate qualification.
This course forms part of a series of HAVS courses aimed at providing high quality HAVS training for various levels of experience. For beginners, or those new to HAVS, there is an introductory level course specifically for OH technicians and nurses which takes place each Spring; for those who have already taken the 2-day course, The At Work Partnership also provide refresher courses every Autumn.
Click here for the full course programme and to book online.
DON’T MISS OUT ON THE EARLY BIRD OFFER – BOOK YOUR PLACE ONLINE NOW to save £20+VAT, when you book and pay before 27th February.
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24 April 2026Central Southern England
Date: Friday 24th April 9am-5pm (registration from 8.30am)
Venue: Aviator Hotel Hampshire, 55 Farnborough Road, Farnborough GU14 6EL
Fee: £85 for SOM members; £95 for non-SOM members. In-person attendance only
6 CPD Hours
This will be a full-day face-to-face meeting for SOM and non-SOM members. The meeting will be followed by the AGM for Central Southern SOM members. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
We look forward to seeing as many members and Occupational Health colleagues as possible.
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27 April 2026Webinar
A FOM-approved course in preparation for FOM Diploma in Occupational Health Practice Examination (DipOHPrac).
The course covers:
- Introduction to Occupational Health
- Effects of work on health
- Clinical Occupational Health and Management
- Assessment of Actual Workplace ScenariosCourse Leads: Dr Lanre Ogunyemi, Dr Alan Bray and Dr Steven Sadhra
Course Dates: Monday 27th April - Friday 1st May and Monday 18th May - Friday 22nd May 2026 (Virtual – Online)
Price: £3,480 including VAT
Click here to view more information and register your interest.
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27 April 2026Webinar
A Faculty of Occupational Medicine approved course in preparation for FOM Diploma in Occupational Medicine Examination (DOccMed).
The course covers:
- Introduction to Occupational Health
- Effects of work on health
- Clinical Occupational Health and Management
- Assessment of Actual Workplace ScenariosCourse Leaders: Dr Lanre Ogunyemi, Dr Alan Bray and Dr Steven Sadhra
Course Dates: Monday 27th April - Friday 1st May and Monday 18th May - Friday 22nd May 2026 (Virtual – Online)
Price: £3,480 including VAT
Click here to view more information and register your interest.
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27 April 2026West Midlands
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) for Occupational Health Technicians & Nurses
Monday 27 April - Birmingham
Course tutor: Dr Roger Cooke, consultant in occupational medicine, and a leading expert in hand–arm vibration syndrome
Are you getting started in HAVS? Do you want to improve your confidence, knowledge and skills? For OH technicians and screening nurses with no prior knowledge of HAVS, this new introductory course is designed to meet your needs.
Join The At Work Partnership face-to-face for this one-day training course in Birmingham, that provides a solid introduction and significant background knowledge on HAVS to assist OH technicians, and screening nurses in their role undertaking delegated tasks for statutory health surveillance. The day will feature practical training on specific clinical assessments
Course testimonial from previous delegates
“Great course, a pleasure to attend. Very beneficial to my learning and development. Would highly recommend.” – Clinical Nurse Advisor, Airbus
“Excellent…very well structured, with a great balance of theory and practice. I would definitely recommend this course to others.” – OH technician, Global OHS
How will attending this training benefit you?
You will gain:
• Detailed background knowledge of hand-transmitted vibration, its health effects and symptoms
• An understanding of your role in undertaking delegated tasks for statutory health surveillance at Tiers 1, 2 or 3, and how you can work under supervision to assist suitably qualified occupational health staff
• Comprehension of the legal requirements relevant for workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibration
• Hands-on, practical experience of how to conduct different assessments for HAVS
• Improved confidence in your HAVS knowledge and skills
Who is the training designed for?
This training is designed for OH technicians and screening nurses that are new to HAVS (little or no experience). Previous experience of HAVS is not essential, but experience in OH is required.
SPECIAL OFFER: Book & pay for an early bird place before 6 March to save £50+VAT
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27 April 2026Webinar
FREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website first).
The webinar will cover workplace sleep health, and the impact this has on employee wellbeing, absenteeism and accident risk. The focus will be on obstructive sleep apnoea and shift working, and how to approach these issues in a robust and practical way, using recent industry case studies as an example.
An exploration of common sleep conditions and how to assess their impact and risk in the workplace. The case for investing in proactive and preventative interventions and progress made to date in the rail industry to define health criteria for assessment of risk in safety critical workers.
Dr David Garley will focus on sleep apnea and shift working, including an industry case study that demonstrates practical management.
Speakers:
Clare Forshaw
Clare is the Professional Head of Health & Wellbeing at RSSB. She has previously worked in consultancy and held the position of Head of the Centre for Health at HSE also spending many years working for the HSE’s Construction Sector. She has a wealth of experience in health management, culture and leadership. She has pioneered conception and delivery of innovative initiatives to raise awareness and improve working practices to reduce incidence of ill health across GB industry. This has included developing leading KPIs, health by design programmes and health management maturity models.
Clare has worked nationally and internationally supporting organisations, projects, regulators, and professional bodies at a strategic and technical level. She has a strong foundation and underpinning knowledge of regulatory and compliance-based standards. She recently stepped down from being a Board member of the British Occupational Hygiene Society and is Founder and Director of the UK Hearing Conservation Association. Chair of the SOM Noise Health Surveillance SIG and member of the SOM Transport Sector Group.
Dr David Garley is a GP and Director of The Better Sleep Clinic, where he treats a range of sleep disorders including insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea. Alongside clinical work, he also works with a range of organisations creating systems and referral pathways to manage workplace sleep health. He speaks regularly on sleep health in the media, and at HR and Health and Safety events. He regularly teaches on clinical sleep medicine both for Primary Care staff and at The University of the West of England.
Chair: Dr Imogen Stilz
FREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website). You will then be sent the join link.
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28 April 2026West Midlands
Course Overview
This 2-day course on Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th April, offers training to those working in occupational health or respiratory medicine/physiology with an interest in occupational asthma. It covers the core investigations into occupational asthma, how to do them and interpret them, with a case-based approach throughout.Dates
Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th April.Location
The course will be held face-to-face at Voco St John's Hotel, Solihull, West Midlands.Costs
2-day Occupational asthma course: £450. Trainees and ARTP members £395.Target Audience
This course is aimed at Respiratory Physiologists, Occupational Health Doctors and Nurses, GPs, Asthma Nurses, and others involved in diagnosis or screening for occupational asthma.Course Programme and Form to Book
Please click here for the Course Programme, which includes the form to book. To reserve your place, complete the form and return it to Vicky Moore at vicky.moore@uhcw.nhs.uk -
30 April 2026S Wales and W of England
SOM Occupational Health Practitioners Conference
Thursday 30th April 2026 9:00am-4:00pm (in-person only)
Future Inn Cardiff, Hemingway Road, Cardiff, CF10 4AU (free parking)
£65 SOM members (please log in before registering); £95 non-members
Reduced rate for students: £47.50 - Email Mimi.Eyeoyibo@som.org.uk for the discount code.
This conference is open to all occupational health professionals and those interested in the sector, including nurses, AHPs, students, occupational therapists and GPs.
"An excellent opportunity to meet and network with like-minded people, as well as update on best practice" - 2025 Conference Delegate
Draft programme:
9:00 - Coffee and networking
Morning Chair: Prof Anne Harriss, SOM Past President
9:30 - Communication within Occupational Health - Janet O’Neill, Deputy Head of the National School of Occupational Health
10:00 - Drug and Alcohol issues in the workplace - the latest issues - Helen Vangikar, Independent Toxicology Consultant
10:30 - HAVS - Dr Roger Cooke, Occupational Medicine Consultant
11:00 - Break
11:15 - Neurodiversity in the workplace - Nina Parson, Chartered Occupational Psychologist
11:45 - Respiratory issues in OH - Prof Jo Szram, Consultant Respiratory Physician
12:30-13.20 - Lunch
Afternoon Chair: Caroline Whittaker, MBE, retired Professional Lead, Nursing, Midwifery and Standards Manager
13:30 - Introduction to Fitness to practice, changes to threshold, record keeping – Sharon Clement-Thomas, Nursing and Midwifery Council's Regulation (NMC) Adviser for Wales
14:00 - Clinical audit – Hilary Winch, Associate Director at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
14:45 - FOHN Accreditation Update - Josephine Amahoro, Lecturer in SCPHN & OHN programs, University of the West of Scotland
15:00 - Stretch and comfort break
15:15 - ICO information sharing and code of practice - Chris Burn, Managing Director & Certified Data Protection Officer, CSRB Limited
15:45 - What does today mean for good OH report writing? - All Speakers Panel
Close
In partnership with the SOM South Wales and West of England Regional Group
With thanks to our generous sponsor Insight Workplace Health