Events

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.

£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 9th & Friday 10th April 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 insurance 

Additionally, 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 guidance

Candidates 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). 

FOR SOM MEMBERS ONLY

SOM has arranged an exclusive visit of the University of Lancashire Wellness Centre on Wednesday 22nd April 2026 commencing at 2PM.

Spaces are free to SOM members but limited to the first 45 individuals to book on.

The agenda will be as follows:

2:00 PM - 2:15 PM | Welcome & Introductions: Greeting and overview of the agenda

2:15 PM - 2:45 PM | Presentation: Our Vision & Services - Mission, healthcare programmes, and initiatives

2:45 PM - 3:15 PM | Guided Tour - Exploration of the facilities and programmes

3:15 PM - 3:45 PM | Demonstration: Health Check - Overview of a typical health assessment

3:45 PM - 4:30 PM | Q&A & Networking - Open discussion and connection opportunities

4:30 PM | Close

SOM Members ONLY. If you are not a member, please join here https://www.som.org.uk/membership

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.

Draft programme:

09:00    Coffee and networking
09:30    Chair: Anne Harriss, then Communication within Occupational Health – Janet O’Neill
10:00    Drug and Alcohol issues in the workplace - the latest issues – Helen Vangikar, Chair, SOM SIG
10:30    HAVS – Dr Roger Cooke
11:00    Break
11:15    Neurodiversity in the workplace – Nina Parsons  
11:45    Respiratory issues in OH – Dr Jo Szram
12:30    Lunch
13:30    Chair: Caroline Whittaker, then introduction to Fitness to practice, changes to threshold, record keeping – Sharon Clement-Thomas
14:00    Clinical audit – Hilary Winch
14:30    Confidence in report writing – Tracie McKelvie
15:00    Stretch and comfort break
15:15    ICOH information sharing and code or practice – Chris Burn
16:00    Close

In partnership with the SOM South Wales and West of England Regional Group 

With thanks to our generous sponsor Insight Workplace Health