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14 October 2026S Wales and W of England
FOR SOM MEMBERS ONLY £5
Beginning at 2PM, the tour will be a 1.5 hour guided tour around the cider/brandy production facility followed by an orchard walk.
During the tour you will see traditional methods and an opportunity to ask questions to workers. After the tour there is the opportunity to take in the view from the top of Burrow Hill.This is an opportunity to meet fellow SOM members in a friendly and relaxed environment.
Unfortunately, there is no Occupational Health person available for the tour, however the guide will be able to answer questions as we go round.
The address is: The Somerset Cider Brandy Company
Pass Vale Farm, Burrow Hill, Kingsbury Episcopi, Martock, Somerset, TA12 6BUYou can find out more about the tour online here https://somersetciderbrandy.com/gohome
Watch an interesting video on cider production from the owners here
SOM Members ONLY. If you are not a member, please join here www.som.org.uk
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17 October 2026London
Health Surveillance Essentials
Half-Day Training for Prospective and Diplomate Occupational Health Physicians
3 dates available to choose from: 18th April, 18th July, 17th October (all Saturdays), 9am-1pm
R-Health, 98 Burnt Oak Broadway, London, HA8 0BE
Price: £200 + VAT
This course is available in-person or online.
For newly qualified or developing Occupational Health Physicians (Diploma-level) seeking to build practical competence in health surveillance delivery across key risk areas: respiratory, noise, and hand-arm vibration.
09:00-09:30: Introduction to Health Surveillance
09:30-10:00: Legal Foundation of Health Surveillance: Legislation, Employer Duties, Data Protection
10:00-10:15: The Role of the HSE
10:15-10:45: Respiratory Surveillance: COSHH and Spirometry
10:45-11:00: Break
11:00-11:30: Noise surveillance, NIHL and Audiometry
11:30-12:00: HAVS: Tiered Surveillance and Regulation
12:00-13:00: Hands-On Practical: Audiometry and Spirometry
This course is led by Dr Satish Ranka, a Senior Consultant Occupational Health Physician, Deputy Chief Examiner at the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, and CSER Assessor. Dr Ranka is also Director and Responsible Officer of R-Health Limited, which he co-leads with his business partner and through which he provides specialist occupational health services to police forces and other safety-critical organisations across the UK.
Hosted by Propel Solutions, Backed by R-Health
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19 October 2026Webinar
FREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website first).
Session details:
Dr Vivake Roddah is an OHP and medical director for D4Drivers and is responsible for overseeing a panel of 300 doctors with fitness to drive assessments primarily for group 2 medicals such as taxis, HGV/PCV but also other roles such as FLT and airside medicals. Her background is in general practice however she has worked in the OH domain for almost a decade.
In this exclusive webinar for SOM members, Dr Roddah will discuss:
- DVLA group 2 medical fitness standards
- DVLA notifications
- employer duties for vocational drivers
- Challenges encountered in assessing fitness to drive
- Limitations of the current driver medical process .
Chair: Dr Oli Chapman
FREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website). You will then be sent the join link.
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20 October 2026Webinar
The At Work Partnership - Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) 2-day course and examination
Day 1: Tuesday 20th October 2026 (Virtual); Day 2: Friday 23rd October 2026 (Birmingham)
Enhance your expertise and confidence in the recognition, diagnosis and management of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) with The At Work Partnership’s intensive two-day Certificate in HAVS course, led by consultant in occupational medicine, and a leading expert in hand–arm vibration syndrome, Dr Roger Cooke.
Designed specifically for occupational health professionals, this comprehensive programme provides a thorough understanding of health surveillance requirements for workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibration. Delegates will also explore best practice in the assessment, diagnosis and ongoing management of individuals affected by HAVS.
Through expert-led learning and practical insights, delegates will gain an in-depth understanding of the condition and the pivotal role occupational health plays in protecting workers and managing vibration-related risks in the workplace.
Over two days, you 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 our HAVS courses:
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 competence in HAVS and gain the FOM certificate qualification. This course forms part of The At Work Partnership’s 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, they also provide refresher courses every Autumn.
Please view full course details, including the programme and the course brochure here.
Don’t miss out on savings:
- Special early bird rates for places booked and paid before Friday 11th September – save up to £20 + VAT!
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20 October 2026Webinar
FREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website first).
Summary of presentation:
Bridging the Gap: Workplace Mediation, Mental Health Absence and Return to Work
With mental health-related absence continuing to rise and reforms proposed to the fit note system, organisations are being encouraged to adopt earlier and more collaborative approaches to supporting employees.
This session explores how workplace mediation can help address the communication breakdowns, workplace tensions and relationship issues that often sit behind prolonged absence. Drawing on the Government’s Keep Britain Working Review agenda; the presentation considers how mediation can support sustainable return-to-work outcomes and become an integral part of future work and health strategies.Speaker bio:
Louisa Spicer is an independent HR consultant, accredited workplace mediator, and Non-Executive Director of the College of Mediators. A former employment lawyer and senior HR practitioner, she specialises in complex workplace issues, including investigations, grievances, disciplinary matters, and conflict resolution. Her current focus is on how workplace mediation can support sustainable returns to work following mental health-related absence and contribute to the objectives of the Government's Keep Britain Working agenda.
Chair: Dr Charlie Vivian
FREE for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website). You will then be sent the join link.
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21 October 2026Webinar
FREE for ALL
Talk summary:
Occupational Health has traditionally approached neurodivergence through the lens of individual adjustment — diagnosis, reasonable adjustments, and support for the person. This session goes further, asking what neurodivergent experience can reveal about the design of work itself. Drawing on concepts including person–environment fit, cognitive and social ergonomics, monotropism, masking and the double empathy problem, the talk explores how hidden cognitive, social and environmental demands are built into everyday work — and how they affect everyone, not only those with a diagnosis. The central argument is that OH, sitting at the interface between the person, their health, the job and the working environment, is uniquely placed to read patterns across individual cases as a form of organisational intelligence: insight that can help employers design healthier, more sustainable and more effective work for all.
Speaker bio:
Robert Annis is Co-Founder of NEURO and an organisational psychologist and coach. He has deep experience in organisational learning and development, including previously leading a training department at a large consultancy, and works on neuroinclusion as organisational design rather than solely individual accommodation. NEURO is a new charity focused on turning neuroinclusion into a strategic organisational advantage. Robert is neurodivergent himself, giving him both professional and lived-experience perspectives on the interaction between people, work and organisational systems.
Chair: Nina Parson
FREE for ALL. You will then be sent the joining link.
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29 October 2026London
£490 for SOM Members (please log in on the SOM website first). Non-members £590. There is a maximum of 20 places.
2-Day Surveillance Audiometry Course
(Compliance with The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005)Date and Time: 9.30am - 5.00pm, Thursday 29th - Friday 30th October 2026
Venue: St Pancras & Somers Town Living Centre, 2 Ossulston St, London NW1 1DF (maps)
Please note that this is an in-person event only. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Trainer - Melanie Brewster, Clinical Physiologist (Audiology)
This two-day face-to-face training course is practical and includes extensive ‘hands-on' experience of audiometry, ear examination and appropriate analysis of audiograms, under the direct supervision of a qualified, experienced tutor, in line with CNWR2005. Suitable for OH physicians, nurses, technicians and other clinicians.
This course follows the guidelines as stated by BSA and training candidates will acquire knowledge and skills in the following areas:
a. Communication needs of hearing impaired people
b. Anatomy and physiology of the outer, middle and inner ear, with particular reference to the effects of excessive sound on these structures
c. Hygiene and disinfection, and risks of cross-infection
d. Safe technique for ear examination
e. Identification of the structures of the outer ear and eardrum
f. Contraindications to audiometry
g. Manual and automated audiometry
h. Referral criteria and process
i. Basic hearing protection in noise
j. The need for third-party insuranceAdditionally, the course adds relevant training specific to the requirements of CNWR 2005 (L108):
1. Normal audiograms for age
2. Audiogram characteristics of noise-induced hearing loss
3. Severity of NIHL relative to exposure
4. Audiogram characteristics of non-noise-induced hearing loss
5. Impulse noise hearing loss (acoustic shock)
6. Role of the OHP
7. Role of the competent adviser
8. SOM guidanceCandidates are required to bring the audiometers they use day-to-day to the training course, plus an otoscope.
CPD points accredited by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM) and SOM Certificate of Attendance.
Delegate fee - £490 SOM member; £590 non SOM member
Duration 13 hours
Trainer: Melanie Brewster, Clinical Physiologist (Audiology) RCCP 1529, Dip Safety Management, Cert OH Law
Melanie Brewster is an NHS-trained Clinical Physiologist specialising in audiology. Alongside private and medico-legal practice she provided the assessment service for the claimants from the NCB and war pension directorate in the early 1990s and branched out into occupational health in 1996 setting up her own Occupational Health company which specialises in noise. Melanie was instrumental in the 2021 changes in CNWR 2005 guidance and still works in the NHS part-time as an external consultant.
Melanie is an advocate for the correct identification of noise-induced hearing loss and has over 35 years of experience in interpreting audiograms in the industry. She provides specialist Occupational Health risk assessment and reports for employees identified as having hearing loss including advising on the compatibility of hearing aids and hearing protection and the management of safety-critical workers with hearing loss.
Melanie has been a trainer for many years alongside advising major insurance companies on NIHL claims, validating medico-legal audiograms and several papers published in her subject.
(SOM members please log in on the SOM website to get the discount).
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02 November 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 2nd November - Friday 6th November and Monday 23rd November - Friday 27th November 2026 (Virtual – Online)
Price: £3,480 including VAT
Click here to view more information and register your interest.
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02 November 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 2nd November - Friday 6th November and Monday 23rd November - Friday 27th November 2026 (Virtual – Online)
Price: £3,480 including VAT
Click here to view more information and register your interest.
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02 November 2026Webinar
The At Work Partnership - AI & Occupational Health
Two Virtual Mornings - Chaired by Dr Lara Shemtob, Imerial College London
Monday 2nd November & Tuesday 3rd November 2026
The At Work Partnership is pleased to announce the new date for their training course on the very hot topic of artificial intelligence! Join them for their Artificial Intelligence and Occupational Health course over 2 virtual mornings on Monday 2nd & Tuesday 3rd November 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.
Special Offer: Save on your bookings now with their early bird discount! Book & pay before 28th September 2026 to save up to £50+VAT.