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08 October 2026London
This registration page is for in-person attendance only.
SOM Leadership Conference 2026 - Human Leadership in a Changing World
Thursday 8th October 9.30am-4.30pm (registration and networking from 9.15am)
Venue: Lumen Centre, 88 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9RS
An inclusive day for all disciplines offering inspiration to develop your leadership skills.
Looking after your own wellbeing, the wellbeing of your team, and the benefits this has for your business as a whole.
Draft agenda:
9.15am Registration / networking
9.30am Welcome - Dr Vicky Mason
9:45am Keynote: Human Leadership - speaker tbc
10.30am Strengthening your own wellbeing and encouraging this in others - Bernadette Darcy
11.15am Break and networking
11.40am Panel: New CMOs, the first 100 days and the leadership challenge - Dr Richard Peters; Nicola Bullen; RCOT lead, Paul Dunning; chaired by Amanda Hinkley
12.40pm Lunch, with “Speed dating with leaders”
1.40pm Welcome back - Jo Vallom Smith
1.45pm Practical session: Human leadership - Dr Nathan Palmer, Affinity
2.40pm Comfort break
2.45pm Leadership styles for now - Professor Jessie Cunnett
3.30pm “Question Time” panel - all speakers / chairs available
4.15pm Wrap up and close - Dr Lanre Ogunyemi
Cost: £65 non-members; £50 SOM members (please log in before registering). Trainees in all fields (doctors and AHPs) can book at the discounted rate of £35 - contact Teigan.Banks@som.org.uk for the discount code.
Includes lunch and refreshments.
All nurses, doctors, AHPs and OH professionals, including trainees and students, are welcome.
This registration page is for in-person attendance only.
To register for online attendance, click here.
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08 October 2026Webinar
This registration page is for online attendance only.
SOM Leadership Conference 2026 - Human Leadership in a Changing World
Thursday 8th October 9.30am-4.30pm, Online
An inclusive day for all disciplines offering inspiration to develop your leadership skills.
Looking after your own wellbeing, the wellbeing of your team, and the benefits this has for your business as a whole.
Draft agenda:
9.30am Welcome - Dr Vicky Mason
9:45am Keynote: Human Leadership - speaker tbc
10.30am Strengthening your own wellbeing and encouraging this in others - Bernadette Darcy
11.15am Break
11.40am Panel: New CMOs, the first 100 days and the leadership challenge - Dr Richard Peters; Nicola Bullen; RCOT lead, Paul Dunning; chaired by Amanda Hinkley
12.40pm Break for lunch
1.40pm Welcome back - Jo Vallom Smith
1.45pm Practical session: Human leadership - Dr Nathan Palmer, Affinity
2.40pm Comfort break
2.45pm Leadership styles for now - Professor Jessie Cunnett
3.30pm “Question Time” panel - all speakers / chairs available
4.15pm Wrap up and close - Dr Lanre Ogunyemi
Cost: £32 non-members; £25 SOM members (please log in before registering). Trainees in all fields (doctors and AHPs) can book at the discounted rate of £17 - contact Teigan.Banks@som.org.uk for the discount code.
All nurses, doctors, AHPs and OH professionals, including trainees and students, are welcome.
This registration page is for online attendance only.
To register for in-person attendance, click here.
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10 October 2026London
Mastering Occupational Health Report Writing
Half-Day Interactive Course for OH Advisors (OHAs) and OH Physicians (OHPs)
3 dates available to choose from: Saturday 25th April, Wednesday 29th July, Saturday 10th October 9am-1.30pm
R-Health, 98 Burnt Oak Broadway, London, HA8 0BE
Price: £150 + VAT
The course is available in-person or online.
9.00-9.15 Welcome & Introduction
9.15-10.00 The Foundations of OH Report Writing
10.00-10.45 Translating Clinical Findings into OH Reports
10.45-11.00 Break
11.00-11.45 Practical Report Writing Workshop
11.45-12.30 Advanced Considerations for OH Reports
12.30-12.55 Polishing and Professional Presentation
12.55-1.30 Course Close
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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14 October 2026Online training
Full-day online course for OH professionals | £395 + VAT
Wednesday 14th October 2026
The Health Partners Academy Ill-Health Retirement Training course is a full-day online course designed for occupational health professionals involved in ill-health retirement (IHR) assessments and for those looking to develop expertise in this growing specialist area.
Delivered by Health Partners' clinical experts and informed by the latest SOM Delphi Study research, this course provides practical guidance on assessing ill-health retirement applications across a range of public and private pension schemes.
What You'll Learn
Participants will:
- Understand the fundamental principles of IHR assessments and their relevance to pension schemes.
- Navigate and apply the criteria of specific pension schemes, such as LGPS, NHS, Teachers, Police, and Fire Pension Schemes.
- Develop sound rationales to support IHR decisions and address appeals effectively.
- Apply the latest Delphi IHR guidance and assistive decision-making tools in practice.
- Gain insights into the legal framework surrounding IHR, including case studies and common issues raised in appeals.
- Confidently engage in interactive discussions and apply learnings to real-world scenarios.What's Included
- Full-day online training
- Expert-led sessions and live Q&A
- Access to pre- and post-course learning materials via their Learning Management SystemWho Should Attend?
- Occupational Health Physicians
- Occupational Health Advisors
- Clinicians involved in IHR assessments
- Pension Scheme Medical Advisors
- Professionals looking to develop expertise in this fieldThe cost of this full-day course is £395 per person, plus VAT.
Book your place today via the Health Partners Academy website
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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.