Events

FREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website first). 

SPONSORED BY ORCHIDLIVE.COM

Session details:

This webinar promotes the recently published SOM guidance on Occupational Health Audits (here) with the aim of bringing it to life for a wider audience.

The session will showcase the document’s practical application. Hilary Winch will chair the webinar, with Jane Manders providing a brief overview of the guidance, followed by Emma McCollum and Alison Webb sharing how they have implemented it in practice.

Speaker bios:

Dr Andrew Sproston is a Consultant in Occupational Medicine (MFOM) with experience across the NHS, private, and public sectors. He is the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Insight Workplace Health, the Welsh Convenor on the Council of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, a Tier 4 HAVS and HSE Appointed Doctor for Ionising Radiation, and plays a role in examination coordination for the profession as MFOM Part 2 SBA Clinical Coordinator. He is heavily involved with auditing and training of occupational physicians within Insight Workplace Health, as well as undertaking multiple auditing roles within previous organisations. He has a particular interest in developing occupational physicians of the future.

Jane Manders is an experienced occupational health specialist with 17 years in the field. Originally from South Africa, Jane holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and a BA in Occupational Health Practice from Robert Gordon University. She has worked across the rail and construction sectors and is currently an Occupational Health Business Partner at Mitie, a leading facilities management company with over 72,000 employees. Jane has previously played a key role in achieving SEQOHS and RISQS accreditations for occupational health services and has completed ISO 9001 Internal Auditor Training. In 2023, she further demonstrated her commitment to quality by earning a Master’s degree in Strategic Quality Management from the University of Portsmouth. 

Emma McCollum is a Consultant Occupational Health Physician working in the NHS and industry.  She is Secretary of ALAMA and a FOM Regional Specialty Adviser (South West).    She supports medical education in the Trust as an Educational Supervisor for specialty trainees and Foundation doctors.  She contributed to the FOM SEQOHS review and Trust SEQOHS reaccreditation.  Outside work, she enjoys spending time with family, walking and hockey. 

Allison Webb is an Occupational Health Advisor with over ten years of experience in both the private and public sectors. She holds an advanced diploma in Occupational Health from Cumbria University and works at Insight Workplace Health. She plays a key role in auditing Occupational Health Advisors and is dedicated to enhancing professional standards and customer satisfaction.

 
Chair: Hilary Winch

FREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website). You will then be sent the join link.
 

FREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website first). 

Summary: 

Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) is a common episodic circulatory disorder triggered by cold exposure, temperature changes, or emotional stress. It typically affects the extremities, leading to transient vasospasm. Despite often being perceived as a minor condition, RP can significantly impair daily function and occupational performance.
In the working population, symptoms such as impaired grip strength, difficulty with fine motor tasks, reduced sensitivity with footing, numbness, pain, and delayed recovery of hand dexterity contribute to reduced productivity and, in some sectors, genuine safety risks.
Given the high prevalence of RP in the general population—and the even higher prevalence in certain occupational groups, there is a clear unmet need for early identification, targeted intervention, and specialist management pathways.
In this session, we will explore:
•The underlying physiology of digital vasospasm
•Primary vs. secondary Raynaud’s and their causes
•Mechanisms driving functional impairment
•Evidence-based management strategies, from lifestyle and workplace adjustments to pharmacological options
Finally, we will outline how our dedicated Raynaud’s Phenomenon Clinic addresses this unmet need by providing rapid assessment, tailored treatment plans, and integrated support for patients whose symptoms impact daily living and work performance.

Bios:
Louise Parker RN, BSc (Hons) MSc, NIP – Independent Nurse Consultant
Ms Parker is an international nursing expert in Raynaud’s phenomenon, connective tissue disease and wider long-term condition management, with over two decades of experience in the healthcare sector.
She was the Lead Nurse for Specialist Practice at the prestigious rheumatology and connective tissue disease department at the Royal Free London NHSFT for 15 years and has worked in this speciality for over 20 years. Her experience includes highly specialised training in managing Raynaud’s phenomenon, systemic sclerosis, connective tissue disease related dermatological disorders and overlap syndromes.
Ms Parker undertook all her academic nursing training at Kings College London and clinical training at Guys & St Thomas’ Hospitals London NHSFT. She has contributed to departmental research and audit, has published nursing articles, posters, book chapters and presents nationally and internationally.
She is a full term past Chair of the Royal College of Nursing Rheumatology Forum and continues to advise and speak on a range of national projects and consults widely on clinical and professional matters. From 2023 - 2024, Ms Parker was the inaugural
specialist nurse invited on to the board of Trustees by the British Society of Rheumatology and remains an active member.
In 2024, Ms Parker and Dr Kevin Howell founded the Raynaud’s Clinic; having run this clinic jointly previously at The Royal Free London NHSFT. This has enabled them to continue to use their highly specialised skill set, for patients seeking a prompt diagnosis.
Their consulting practice is distinguished by its patient-centric approach and years of practice in managing Raynaud’s phenomenon.

Dr Kevin Howell BSc, MSc, PhD, MIPEM, CSci, ASIS, FRPS – Clinical Scientist
Dr Howell is a Clinical Scientist with over three decades of experience in microvascular diagnostics. From 1992 to 2023, he led the Microvascular Diagnostics service at the Royal Free Hospital, where he played a pivotal role in advancing imaging techniques for connective tissue diseases.
He is an Accredited Senior Imaging Scientist and a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, as well as the current President of the European Association of Thermology. Dr Howell is also a longstanding member of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM), having served two terms on the Physiological Measurement Special Interest Group Committee.
In 2009, he was awarded a PhD from the University of Glamorgan (now the University of South Wales) for his research on the application of thermal imaging in rheumatology. His work has contributed significantly to the understanding and use of advanced imaging in clinical practice.
Dr Howell is highly experienced in nailfold capillaroscopy imaging for the assessment of connective tissue diseases and is actively involved in training and education. He regularly contributes to professional development initiatives, including the British Society for Rheumatology’s course on nailfold capillaroscopy.

Chair: Dr Ian Lawson

FREE for ALL. You will then be sent the joining link.

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.

Date: 10-11th March 2026

Location: NEC Birmingham

Health and Wellbeing at Work is a dynamic two-day event taking place on the 10th-11th of March at the NEC, Birmingham, dedicated to cultivating authentic change within workplace health, wellbeing, culture and safety through an unparalleled conference programme and a curated selection of cutting-edge solutions and service providers. 
Its goal is to empower every employer with the inspiration, insights and contacts to drive their workplace wellbeing strategy forward.

As partners of Health and Wellbeing at Work 2026, SOM members receive a 10% discount on tickets. Email Ann.Caluori@som.org.uk for the discount code.

Register here.