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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
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In partnership with the SOM South Wales and West of England Regional Group
With thanks to our generous sponsor Insight Workplace Health
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05 May 2026Webinar
FREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website first).
Summary:
this session will run through the traditional and newer ways of expressing lung function results at work. The seminar will run through, hopefully interesting, cases designed to make particular points and will aim to give the attendee a better understanding of these sometimes-tricky issues.
Z scores (and maybe Q scores too!) are here to stay, rightfully so, and really help all OH professionals understand how a worker's lung function is compared with their predicted values. The use of these will assist with the diagnosis of various conditions.
The session will also cover changes in lung function over time, and particularly when to be concerned about year on year lung function changes.
All OH professionals are welcome. This is not a highly technical seminar for physiologists only!!
Speaker Bio:
Professor David Fishwick MBChB FRCP(UK) AFOM FFOM (hon) FFOMI (hon) MD, Diving levels 1 and 2d
David is the Chief Medical Adviser for the Health and Safety Executive of GB and also for HSE Northern Ireland. He is currently an honorary Consultant Respiratory Physician, and previously a Consultant Respiratory Physician within the NHS in Sheffield. He holds an honorary Professorship in Respiratory Medicine at the University of Sheffield.
He works also within the Centre of Occupational and Environmental Health at the University of Manchester and is a Co-Director of the Centre for Workplace Health and health theme co-lead for the Thomas Ashton Institute at the University of Manchester.
His main previous clinical and research interests are the prevention and recognition of both occupational lung diseases and other illnesses attributed to work. As a practicing clinician for 40 years he has dealt with general and respiratory medical issues, and a significant amount of co morbid mental ill health; both work related and non work related.
His role in HSE requires that he continually keeps up to date with all aspects of ill health attributed to work, and his Manchester roles enable him to research within a team who have broad interests in ill health, including respiratory disease, musculoskeletal disorders, work related stress, anxiety, depression and adjustment disorder.Chair: Janet O'Neill
FREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website). You will then be sent the join link.
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06 May 2026Webinar
FREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website first).
Session details:
Dr Sue Law is a GP with over 20 years’ experience working predominantly in deprived inner-city communities and more than a decade’s experience in occupational health supporting professional drivers. She is Founder of Improve My Health, delivering evidence-based lifestyle medicine programmes to businesses and communities. She teaches lifestyle medicine to GP trainees and medical students while serving as an assessor for the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine Core Accreditation. Her approach is known for being clear, compassionate and engaging, combining clinical rigour with warmth, humour and real-world relevance.
This webinar introduces the principles of lifestyle medicine and explores how they can be applied practically within occupational health to improve workforce wellbeing, reduce sickness absence and support retention. Dr Sue Law will share real-world insights from her Driving Better Health interventions, including brief lifestyle medicine consultations delivered alongside D4 medicals and targeted group clinics for higher-risk employees. The session will demonstrate how occupational health teams can move from reactive management to proactive prevention, embedding evidence-based behaviour change approaches into everyday practice to create healthier, safer and more productive workplaces.
The session will cover
• What is lifestyle medicine
• Why and how lifestyle medicine is relevant in occupational health
• Top Lifestyle Medicine Tips
• Driving Better Health - a practical model for workforce health improvement in professional drivers
Chair: Lucy SmithFREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website). You will then be sent the join link.
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12 May 2026London
Women's health at work: Policy, progress and public perception
Society of Occupational Medicine and Royal Society of Medicine joint meeting
Venue: Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole Street, Marylebone, London, W1G 0AE
This conference provides an essential update for occupational health (OH) professionals on women’s health and rights in the workplace, set against the changing legal landscape and the government's preparative work on the Employment Rights Bill. It will examine conditions such as menopause, endometriosis, and the emotional and physical demands of fertility treatment on women’s working lives. Delegates will gain a deeper understanding of how these issues can disadvantage women in the workplace due to women’s sex-specific health factors, and what good OH practice looks like in response.
A key focus will be the government’s preparatory work for the Employment Rights Act and how this may require changes in OH approaches, policies, and advice. Sessions will provide practical insight into how to assess and support women experiencing these health challenges at work, how to advise employers on reasonable adjustments, and how to embed women’s health into organisational culture and strategy.
Aims of the event
- To provide OH professionals and trainees with a structured understanding of current and emerging challenges in women’s health within workplace settings.
- To equip delegates with the knowledge needed to apply best practice, reasonable adjustments and evidence-based thinking to real-world OH scenarios.
- To support the development of critical reasoning skills through expert-led discussions, clinical perspectives and contributions from the Apothecaries Lecture and Medal presentations.Why attend?
- Explore how OH professionals can be a driving force for change in raising public, organisational, and governmental awareness of women’s health needs in a modern, diverse workforce.
- Delegates will receive an up-to-date briefing on the potential implications of the Employment Rights Act for occupational health practice.
- Gain practical tools to improve case management, communication with employers and advocacy for fair and inclusive workplaces.
- The programme also includes the prestigious Apothecaries Lecture and the presentation of the Apothecaries Medal, offering additional opportunities for reflection on professional standards, ethics and excellence in occupational health.
- With its combination of legal and policy update, clinical relevance, and professional development, this event is essential for anyone in occupational health committed to evidence-based, ethical and equitable support for women at work.This event is aimed at: Occupational health physicians, nurses, advisers and trainees, as well as HR professionals and managers involved in workplace health, wellbeing or policy.
Please note, there is not a discounted rate for SOM members this year.
For further details and to book, visit the RSM website.
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13 May 2026Online training
This full-day online course is designed and delivered by Health Surveillance experts, specifically for clinicians and professionals who are new to the subject - from Occupational Health Advisors to Occupational Health Physicians.
By completing this Introduction to Health Surveillance Training Course from the Health Partners Academy, you will gain essential knowledge and build a confident approach for assessing, managing and triaging health surveillance cases effectively with expert guidance.
Throughout the day, specialist clinicians will deliver in-depth practical and theory sessions, while sharing a clear view of the responsibilities of relevant roles and how to work effectively and efficiently for successful compliance.
During this full-day training course, you will learn how to:
- effectively conduct health surveillance assessments
- deliver effective case management & best practice
- ensure compliance for clients and their employees
- understand key workplace legislation
- work collaboratively to deliver risk managementView the full timetable here.
Secure your place today for £395 per person + VAT.
Discounted rate of £295 for OHA/OHNs and StRs. -
14 May 2026Webinar
EXCITING NEW COURSE FROM THE AT WORK PARTNERSHIP
AI & Occupational Health
Thursday 14 & Friday 15 May 2026 – Two Virtual Mornings
Chaired by Dr Lara Shemtob, Imperial College London
The At Work Partnership is pleased to announce the launch of a new training course on the very hot topic of artificial intelligence! Join the Artificial Intelligence and Occupational Health course over 2 virtual mornings on 14 & 15 May 2026, to learn how to use AI safely and effectively in your OH work.
This training course starts with first principles to help you to understand what AI is, and its benefits and limitations in OH, emphasising the importance of remaining vigilant to potential risks and errors. It aims to give you the understanding to ask the right questions so that you can use AI in OH ethically, strategically and appropriately and understand its broader impact on OH practice.
Delegates will be led by a fantastic team with excellent knowledge, passion and interest in using AI in the workplace - course leader Dr Lara Shemtob (Imperial College London), Janet O'Neill (PAM Group), Grace Corby (Cloisters Chambers) and Dr John Ballard (Occupational Health [at Work]).
The course is designed for OH professionals and others working in an OH setting. Prior knowledge of AI is not necessary.
For further details on the programme and to view the course brochure, visit 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 30 March and save up to £50 + VAT
Self-funded rates also available.
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19 May 2026Webinar
Employment Medicals and Fitness for Work 2026
Tuesday 19 May, A Virtual Event
This important training examines why good practice in assessing fitness for work is a key aspect of OH, to safeguard the health and safety of employees and others affected by the work, and to ensure fair and non-discriminatory employment.
Conducted virtually via zoom, the course will look at best practice in the field of employment medicals, fitness for work, and the use of pre-employment/pre-placement questionnaires and health checks.
The course brings together a fantastic line-up of speakers, which include:
Dr John Ballard (Occupational Health [at Work]), Audrey Ludwig (trainer and consultant), Dr Tony Williams (Working Fit), Dr Samantha Phillips (Transport for London), Dr Amanda Edgeworth (DVLA) and Prof Diana Kloss (barrister).
Comments from previous delegates:
“Resourceful and educational, a must in OH learning!”
- OH nurse advisor, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust“Excellent course, great content, relevant and engaging speakers”
- OH physician, HSE IrelandBenefits of attending:
- Ensure that your organisation is up to date with all of the latest legal and practical issues affecting health issues at recruitment and ongoing fitness to work.
- Gain an up-to-the-minute understanding of how the legislation and case law relating to employment medicals and fitness for work impacts on your responsibilities and your day-to-day work.
- Learn about the issues affecting fitness to drive and drug and alcohol testing
- Gain an understanding of best practice and evidence-based decisions
- PLUS – printed documentation to keep for future reference.
EARLY BIRD RATE OFFER: Book and pay by 27 March and save £60 + VAT!
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29 May 2026Webinar
Shift Work, Sleep, and Public Health: From Evidence to Action
Friday 29th May, 10am-11:30am
Shift work is essential to modern society, supporting healthcare, emergency services, transport, manufacturing, and many other critical sectors. However, the disruption of sleep and circadian rhythms associated with shift work poses significant risks to health, safety, and wellbeing, with growing implications for public health and workforce sustainability.
This webinar, co-hosted by the University of Warwick and the Society of Occupational Medicine, brings together leading researchers, occupational health experts, shift workers, employers, and policy stakeholders to examine the scientific evidence, lived experiences, and practical challenges surrounding shift work and sleep.
The session will explore:
· The health, cognitive, and safety consequences of poor sleep and circadian disruption
· What the latest scientific evidence tells us about sleep and shift work
· Real-world experiences from shift workers and employers
· Opportunities for prevention, intervention, and better occupational health practices
This event will also help inform an upcoming parliamentary discussion with policymakers and MPs, ensuring that the voices of workers, employers, researchers, and practitioners contribute to shaping future policy and practice.
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01 June 2026Webinar
FREE for ALL
While it is generally accepted that work improves mental health, people with serious mental illnesses face considerable challenges when returning to the workplace. This presentation will outline what has been learned from implementing Individualized Placement and Support (IPS) services throughout the state of Connecticut. While IPS services have a strong evidence base, here we consider factors beyond rapid placement in a competitive job that often affect the mental health of people with psychiatric disabilities returning to work: stigma and discrimination, navigating public benefits while working, the realities of low-wage work in a neoliberal economic system, and the fundamental meaning of work. We will explore how each of these factors may lead us to a different paradigm when it comes to the future of employment services for people with psychiatric disabilities.
Dr. Megan Evans is an Associate Research Scientist in the Program for Recovery and Community Health at the Yale School of Medicine. Trained in public health, she studies the social determinants of mental health and substance use recovery and is especially interested in social, relational, and vocational recovery. She completed an employment-focused postdoctoral fellowship funded by the National Institute for Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research. Her current research focuses on developing a measurement approach to capture personally meaningful recovery and life goals of adults with serious mental illnesses, moving beyond traditional symptom and functioning measures to assess recovery in areas deemed as important by people with lived experience themselves. She also works with behavioral health agencies to better incorporate recovery-oriented services into their operations and serves as faculty for the Yale Lived Experience Transformational Leadership Academy (Yale LET(s)Lead).
Chair: Professor Neil Greenberg
FREE for ALL. You will then be sent the joining link.