Events

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). 

Draft session outline
Why this is difficult in real workplaces
•    What has changed in the last few years
•    The types of questions employers, unions and workers are asking
•    Why we still do not have simple “yes / no” answers on safety or fitness for work
What we actually know about medicinal cannabis and impairment
•    Brief overview of CBD, THC and common prescribed products
•    How cannabis can affect cognition, reaction time, mood and decision making in safety critical work
•    What the evidence says about impairment, and where it is weak or conflicting
What we do not know and why that matters
•    No agreed “safe level” of THC for work
•    No validated, practical impairment tests for safety critical roles
•    Why a positive THC test does not tell you whether someone is actually unsafe at work
Legal and ethical framework for OH providers
•    Legal duties for employers and workers in this context
•    Tension with the Bill of Rights, employment Relations and privacy legislation
•    Being fair to the worker while being honest about uncertainty and risk
•    Equity issues
A structured approach when a worker is prescribed medicinal cannabis
•    Clarifying the role: safety critical, driving, lone work, high hazard environments
•    Clarifying the prescription: indication, product, dose, timing, other medications
•    Talking with the worker and, where appropriate, the prescriber
•    Formulating and documenting a defensible fitness for work opinion
•    When to say, “not safe enough”, when to restrict, and when to trial work with controls
Drug testing, policies and “zero tolerance” in practice
•    What urine and oral tests really measure and their limitations
•    Integrating medicinal cannabis into existing alcohol and drug policies without creating injustice
•    How to avoid pushing problems underground or punishing legitimate treatment
Case based discussion: grey zones rather than black and white
•    A small number of de identified cases that show common dilemmas
•    How different OH providers might reasonably reach slightly different answers
•    Drawing out practical principles participants can take back to their own services
Open Q&A and shared problem solving
•    Pre submitted questions from OH nurses, physicians and advisers
•    Live discussion on “stuck” cases and organisational challenges
•    Identifying gaps where we still need national guidance and collaboration
 
Chair: Dr Oli Chapman
 
Speaker:

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.

A one-day event from The At Work Partnership

Medical decision-making in ill-health retirement

Thursday 5 March 2026 - A Virtual Event

Chaired by Dr John Ballard, editor of Occupational Health [at Work]

The At Work Partnership are delighted to announce a new date for this very popular one-day workshop - Medical decision-making in ill-health retirement! The event will take place virtually on Thursday 5 March 2026.

The At Work Partnership's team of expert tutors, Dr John Ballard, Dr Mark Groom, Prof Diana Kloss, Dr Tony Williams, Dr Sarah Porter and Claire Johnson, will guide you through an intensive day of learning as we take an in-depth look at how occupational health can advise employees and employers on ill health retirement to help make evidence-based, fair decisions.

This training will give you:

- A detailed knowledge of how to give evidence-based advice in ill-health retirement (IHR) cases  

- A comprehensive understanding of your roles and responsibilities - either as an OH doctor or OH nurse

- An insight into the complexity of scheme rules and relevant law

- Enhanced comprehension of the ethical issues

- An opportunity to learn from the experience of others in case studies and to benchmark your opinions with peers

- Improved knowledge and understanding to assist in decision-making

Previous event delegates said:

“A great opportunity to hear from experts in the field about their approach... and how to develop our own process that meets the requirements for excellent IHR reporting.” - OH Physician, NPH Group Ltd

“Brilliantly informative, superbly presented, and highly relevant to current OH practice!” - Occupational Health Consultant, Independent

“An excellent conference with an expert panel who are passionate and experienced in their field.” - OH Manager, Hertfordshire County Council

Secure your place online now  (There are payment options for invoicing and paying by card)

DON’T MISS THESE SPECIAL OFFERS

- EARLY BIRD RATES: Save £50+VAT with their early bird offer! Available for bookings paid before 20th January 2026

- Discounted rates are also available for self-funded individuals.

Integrated Health Summit

The Integrated Health Summit is the annual event for the future of health – personalised, preventive health care.
 

Tuesday 14th April 9.15am-5.00pm (registration and networking from 8.15am)

King's College London, Strand Campus, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS

Early Bird Offer: Book by January 2026 and save £50

Health care is changing. New neighbourhood and local delivery of programmes both within the NHS, in primary care, the private sector and workplace health need to future proof how health care will change - with a focus on prevention (from the NHS 10 year), personalisation (with the advent of tech-based products) and now awareness of the value of the value of good work for good health.

This joint event between the Society of Occupational Medicine, Wellbeing at Work and Qualitatas will help delegates:

- Understand future strategic interventions that should guide and influence local neighbourhood health delivery linked to primary care

- Improve national policy-making

- Implement the 10-year plan

- Identify effective proactive personalised health care interventions

- Clarify issues around multi-morbidity and challenges

Join us on Tuesday 14th April 2026 for an inspiring and educational day. Secure your tickets here.