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18 November 2025Webinar
FREE for ALL (please log in on the SOM website first).
Session details:
Learn from the experts, in-house and external recruiters in to OH, share their wisdom on how to optimise your CV, interview skills and how to make yourself known on social media.
If you wish to enter the Occupational Health/medicine speciality, it takes more than just sending in a CV or answering an advert. It takes initiative and drive to get that first step. This webinar aims to provide guidance on what is essentially a skill in today’s marketplaceSpeakers
- Ellen Harris – OH Medical
- Tracey Regan – PAM Group
- Priya Kanji - OH staffing
- Rachel Lelliot - Health Partners
- Jo Vallom-Smith - OTsBios:
With over 10 years’ recruitment experience, Ellen Harris joined OH Medical Recruitment in 2021 and now leads the team as Director. She has a proven track record of placing candidates at every level — from trainees to Directors — across both clinical and corporate OH roles. Passionate about growing the sector, Ellen works closely with companies to create and promote trainee opportunities, helping new talent step confidently into Occupational Health. She also champions smart CV, interview, and social media strategies to give candidates the best possible start in their OH careers.
Rachel Lelliott has 17 years of experience in recruitment, with 12 of those spent at an agency specialising in the food industry. For the past 5 years, Rachel has been with Health Partners, where she leads the recruitment team and oversees hiring for a variety of clinical and non-clinical positions. In her previous roles, she provided candidates with guidance on crafting strong CVs and emphasised the importance of thoroughly researching both the company and the role they were pursuing. While her current role at Health Partners is slightly different, she continues to take great satisfaction in helping candidates secure their ideal jobs and join a supportive, caring organisation.
Tracey Regan - An experienced Recruitment Manager with a strong track record in sourcing and placing talent within the Occupational Health and Wellbeing sector. With a background in sales and negotiation, she brings a strategic and people-focused approach to recruitment, ensuring the right fit for both clients and candidates.
Her expertise spans the full recruitment lifecycle, from talent acquisition and stakeholder engagement to offer management and onboarding. She has a strong ability to build lasting relationships and deliver results, and is passionate about connecting professionals with meaningful opportunities that support health and wellbeing in the workplace.Jo Vallom-Smith – OTs
Jo Vallom-Smith is an award-winning Occupational Therapist with over a decade of experience in Vocational Rehabilitation and Occupational Health. Jo founded a recruitment agency for OTs in OH and an associated national network of Occupational Therapists in Occupational Health. She is now the Professional Advisor for Health and Work and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and chairs the SOM special interest group for Allied Health Professionals.Priya Kanji – OH staffing
Priya Kanji has been recruiting within the Occupational Health sector since 2003 and founded Occupational Health Staffing in 2010. Since its inception, Occupational Health Staffing has established itself as a trusted and specialist agency, dedicated to placing both temporary and permanent Occupational Health professionals across the UK. At Occupational Health Staffing, we're more than just a recruitment agency — we're here to support you at every stage of your career. Whether you're looking for your next role or just starting out in OH, we offer tailored support to help you succeed. From creating a standout CV to preparing you for interviews, we make sure you're ready to show your best self to potential employers. With our help, you can move through the job market with confidence and find a role that truly fits your skills, goals, and ambitions.
Chair: Janet O'Neil and Sarah Holling
FREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website). You will then be sent the join link.
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19 November 2025London
The Medical Council on Alcohol (MCA) Symposium 2025
Wednesday 19th November at the Royal College of Physicians London
The annual MCA symposium is a key event for health professionals working to reduce alcohol-related health harms and will take place in-person with all the networking and communication advantages this offers.
The programme is aimed at clinicians and researchers across disciplines and specialties, highlighting both new research and policy and practical applications. View the programme here.
Register here.
DISCOUNT FOR SOM MEMBERS: £25 off Early Bird tickets - £210 to £185 - ends 28th July, then £35 off general tickets - £235 to £200. Email Ann.Caluori@som.org.uk for the discount code.
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21 November 2025Scotland
SOM Scottish Group Autumn Meeting and AGM
Date: Friday 21st November 9am-5pm
Venue: Surgeon's Quarter, Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh
Fee: £100 for SOM members; £125 for non-members. In-person attendance only. No late booking fee.
Reduced rate for Allied Health Professionals, nurses and students, including OH trainees (SOM members only): £75. Email Mimi.Eyeoyibo@som.org.uk for the discount code.
View the programme here.
The meeting will be followed by the Scottish Group End of year Committee Dinner at 6.30pm. The dinner will take place at Cannonball Restaurant & Bar, 356 Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NF (Google maps). All members are welcome to attend but you are required to express your interest asap so that numbers for the table booking can be confirmed ahead of time. Please include any dietary requirements you have.
Please note your membership discount will automatically be applied when you log in to the SOM website. Please log in before registering.
This meeting is sponsored by
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21 November 2025West Midlands
SOM West Midlands Winter Dinner & Networking Evening
Date: Friday 21st November 6.30-10.30pm
Venue: Lake Lounge, Genting Arena, Resorts World, Birmingham, B40 1PU
Fee: £45 for SOM members; £55 for non-members. In-person attendance only.
Join us for a dinner buffet, dessert and an evening of networking with fellow professionals. There will also be an AGM for SOM West Midlands members.
Please note that dietary requirements shared after Friday 7th November may not be guaranteed, though we’ll do our best to accommodate them.
Please note your membership discount will automatically be applied when you log in to the SOM website. Please log in before registering.
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22 November 2025London
Health Surveillance for Occupational Health Nurses and New OHPs
Full day training for occupational health nurses and new OHPs
Date: Saturday 22nd November, 10am-5.15pm
Venue: R-Health, 98 Burnt Oak Broadway, London, HA8 0BE
Price: In person - £300 + VAT, Online - £250 + VAT
Early bird discount available until Friday 31st October: In person - £250 + VAT, Online - £200 + VAT
This is a hybrid event.
10.00 Welcome & Introduction by Anne Harriss
10.30 Vision Screening in Occupational Health
11.15 Coffee Break
11.30 Health Surveillance for Occupational Lung Disease under COSHH
12.30 Health Surveillance for Skin Disease under COSHH
13:30 Lunch
14.00 Health Surveillance of Hearing under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
15.00 Coffee Break
15.15 Health Surveillance for Hand Arm Vibration under the Control of Vibration at work Regulations 2005
16.15 Consolidation & Case Workshop
Course Leader: Dr Satish Ranka
Dr Ranka is a Senior Consultant Occupational Health Physician, Deputy Chief Examiner at the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, and a CSER Assessor. Dr Ranka is also a Director and Responsible Officer of R-Health Limited, which he co-leads with his business partner, providing specialist occupational health services to police forces and other safety-critical organisations across the UK.
For full details about the course, please click here.
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25 November 2025Webinar
Occupational Health Consultations
Tuesday 25th November, A Virtual Event
Testimonial - “Very enjoyable with some real gems to improve my consultations” - OH physician
OH consultations are at the heart of an occupational health professional’s work. The At Work Partnership is delighted to announce the new date for their one-day course designed to help OH professionals enhance their consultation skills.
Join The At Work Partnership for an essential day of training looking at how a skilled consultation can help move a case forward, how to manage difficult consultations and ensure that legal, ethical and quality requirements are met. The day includes a focus on the communication and interpersonal skills that are required for effective OH consultations.
The course will be led by a team of specialists in occupational health and consultation techniques, including Dr Nerys Williams, independent OH physician; Dr Clare Fernandes, Haleon; Carolyn Graham, mediator & conflict coach; Audrey Ludwig, trainer and solicitor; and Sharon Wilday, consultant cognitive behavioural psychotherapist.
The training aims to teach you to:
- Understand the aims of the OH consultation in terms of moving the case forward
- Set up and prepare for effective OH consultations, and understand how to audit and improve these
- How to develop your communication and interpersonal skills that are required for effective OH consultations – including establishing rapport, information gathering, listening and questioning skills, and an introduction to motivational interviewing and coaching techniques.
- Know your legal responsibilities – and the nuances of the unique role of the OH professional – in fulfilling your obligations to both the employee and the employer
- Get the most of your OH consultations whether face to face, telephone or video/onlineSPECIAL OFFERS AVAILABLE!
EARLY BIRD RATE OFFER: Book and pay before 6th October and save £70 + VAT!
Self-funded rates available and special rates for those who attended an At Work Partnership OH Report Writing course from 2022 onwards! -
25 November 2025Webinar
FREE for ALL (please log in on the SOM website first).
Summary of webinar:
Introduction - The UK Economy needs older workers, yet half the workforce aged 50-65 leave before retirement. Current local delivery of programmes to reduce inactivity due to ill health often ignore this key group, particularly older female workers.
Topic areas
• What are the predictors of job loss for older workers due to health?
• What are effective proactive in work measures e.g. functional assessment, reasonable adjustments and use of occupational health that supports older workers remain in work?
• How can employers and managers support older workers return to work after ill health?
• What are the particular issues for female older workers e.g. caring definition, cultureSpeakers: Dame Carol Black, Professor Ewan Macdonald, Emma Persand, Centre for Ageing Better
Attendees
• ICS leads in England and Scotland, Wales, and NI leads (e.g. Department of Communities)
• DWP/DHSC work and health unit including Sir Charlie Mayfield review team.
• Think tanks e.g. Health Foundation
• Public health leadsOutcomes
• Understand what works as to interventions for older workers to stay and return to work
• Guide and influence local delivery e.g. of Work Well Pilots, Trailblazers, Pathfinders and within Public Health teams
• Improve national policy making related to inactivity due to ill health e.g. for reform of Access to Work and the Mayfield review.
FREE for ALL. You will then be sent the joining link.
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28 November 2025Hybrid
Join the RCN and SOM in-person or online at this popular one-day conference
Friday 28th November 2025
The RCN and SOM are delighted to announce that the popular RCN and SOM Joint Occupational Health Nursing Conference will return for its eighth year in November 2025.
This hybrid conference will cover a broad range of topics designed to support the continuing professional development of occupational health nursing professionals.
Learning outcomes:
- Participants will be able to describe core principles of occupational health surveillance (including skin and general health), and explain their relevance in supporting the health of a changing workforce.
- Participants will be able to evaluate the legal and ethical implications of emerging workplace health issues - such as cannabis use, vaccination compliance - by identifying at least two key actions they can implement in their own practice.
- Participants will identify how current and emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, may impact occupational health delivery and propose one potential use case or innovation applicable to their setting.
- Attendees will be able to discuss men's health as a vital component of inclusive workplace health strategies.
Discounts available for SOM members.
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01 December 2025Webinar
Introductory course from The At Work Partnership
Foundation Course in Occupational Health
Monday 1st – Tuesday 2nd December 2025 - A Two-Day Virtual Event
Chaired by Sandra Winters, Independent specialist (OH) practitioner
“Interesting, engaging, very informative, very relevant and one of the best foundation courses I have attended in my 20 years career as a nurse” – Occupational Health Nurse
The At Work Partnership is pleased to announce the new dates for this introductory course focusing on the fundamental principles of occupational health. Specifically designed to fast-track your knowledge and understanding of OH, the course will help you develop your professional abilities and maximise your contribution to your occupational health team. It will also be valuable for those planning further study in the field.
Taking place virtually over two in-depth study days, the course will guide delegates through some of the most important concepts in occupational health, including developing your legal and ethical knowledge, taking an evidence-based approach to fitness for work, sickness absence, disability and more!
Delegates will be taught by an expert team of tutors, with a wealth of invaluable occupational health knowledge, including course chair, Sandra Winters (Organisational Wellbeing), Dr John Ballard (Occupational Health [at Work] journal), Prof Diana Kloss (barrister), Dr Sarwar Chowdhury (Work Doctor Occupational Health).
For further details on the programme, view the course brochure and visit the event page at the website link below.
If you have any questions about the course, email conferences@atworkpartnership.co.uk
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL OFFERS AVAILABLE
Book and pay by 15th October and save up to £50 + VAT
Self-funded delegates from only £425 + VAT
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02 December 2025Webinar
FREE for ALL (please log in on the SOM website first).
Session details:
Speakers: Professor Holly Blake (Chair), Dr Juliet Hassard, Dr Louise Thomson.
Date/time: Tuesday 2nd December 1-2pmIn this session, we highlight selected findings from a £1.7 million funded research programme examining the causal links between workplace mental health and wellbeing practices and productivity. We will present the rationale for promoting mental health through workplace settings, including the economic impact of mental ill-health, and the business case for organisations to invest in policies and practices to support mental health at work. The national and international policy context will be outlined. We will describe the important role of line managers in supporting mental health and share findings from our research highlighting patterns in the provision of line manager training and the relationship between training line managers in mental health, and key organisational outcomes. We will share details of two evidence-based line manager training innovations: Managing Minds at Work, and The SUPPORT Business Values Framework which identifies core values and guiding principles to support a strategic, values-driven approach to workplace wellbeing. This framework identifies seven core values and guiding principles essential for embedding mental health into organisational culture through strategic leadership and HR practices. This session offers valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to enhance workplace mental health and wellbeing.
Speaker Biographies
Professor Holly Blake, Professor of Behavioural Medicine and a health psychologist at the University of Nottingham, in the UK. Holly is a prolific author and is listed in the Global Top 0.4% of cited scientists in ‘workforce’ research. Her research focuses on work and health, self-management of chronic conditions and digital innovations for health and wellbeing. Her work has been cited as best practice in policy documents in the UK, Europe, Asia and Australasia, including the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.
Dr Juliet Hassard, an occupational health psychologist and Reader in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour, at Queen’s Business School, Queen’s University Belfast, in Northern Ireland. She is a sought-after speaker in the UK and Europe. Her research examines the design and development of psychologically safe and healthy workplaces through working systems, management and leadership practices, and organisational policies. Juliet has expertise in the impact, management, and prevention of work-related stress through prevention-orientated strategies.
Dr Louise Thomson, a registered Occupational Psychologist and Chartered Psychologist, an Associate Professor in Occupational Psychology at the University of Nottingham in the UK and lead academic for research support and consultancy at the Institute of Mental Health. She specialises in psychological, social and organisational issues in occupational health, mental well-being at work, job retention and return-to-work. Louise has played a role in policy development, such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on both return-to-work and mental wellbeing at work.
Chair: Professor Holly Blake
FREE for ALL (please log in on the SOM website). You will then be sent the join link.