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). 

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.

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.

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

We'd like to thank our sponsor - Orchid Live. Orchid Live is specialist occupational health software used by a number of SOM members to run every aspect of their occupational health operations. They hold healthcare records for over 1.5 million UK workers and work with both in-house OH teams and OH providers. You can find out more at OrchidLive.com

Overview::

If you want to build a healthy culture at work, where people thrive in high performing teams, leaders need to be proactive - caring and daring. 

Join us - find out what leaders need to embed the skills and qualities for their teams to thrive.

We’ll look at the critical skills to lead with a wellbeing lens including: 
creating an environment that’s psychologically safe
being confident in supportive conversations about mental health & wellbeing 
adapting leadership style so that your people can be their best

We’ll explore questions like:
what stops people reaching out to a colleague when they notice that they’re struggling?
what happens when a leader ignores banter about mental ill-health?
how can leaders be proactive to reduce the stressors at work?

You’ll discover the kind of results to expect from a comprehensive programme that develops learning and embeds best practice over time.

Come along to this webinar, and leave confident in what you’re doing well, inspired to implement fresh ideas.

Date: 18th March 2026
Time: 12 noon
Via Microsoft Teams
 

Speakers:

Angus Robinson
Executive Chairman

Angus is expert in developing a healthy workplace where people thrive and organisations succeed. With an engineering background he has a proven track record in business creation and growth.  He previously worked in General Management, Engineering, Technical, and Commercial roles in multi-national companies including in the nuclear, medical, engineering and manufacturing sectors. 

Amy McDonald
Founder & CEO

Amy inspires people to find their voice and shift mindset - head and heart, to ensure a fair and inclusive workplace.  
She creates the conditions for individuals and teams to engage, develop and grow, so that people thrive and organisations succeed.  Amy has a background in business, mediation, coaching and theatre - bringing issues to life using drama for safe learning.

Chair: Dr Kevin Teoh

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