By Amanda Hinkley, Chair of the Faculty of Occupational Health Nursing (FOHN)
I had the opportunity to present on the FOHN Accreditation and Competency Framework, which generated interest among delegates. In Ireland, the recently launched Nursing Registration Framework is designed for general nurses, but there is not yet a specific register for occupational health nurses comparable to Part 3 of the NMC register in the UK. This underlines how vital our work on accreditation and professional recognition continues to be. Watch: OH Nurse Accreditation and Competencies – Amanda Hinkley, Head of Occupational Health (SCPHN), UK Health Security Agency.
The conference highlighted the breadth and evolving nature of occupational health across Europe, focusing on Leadership, Education, Occupational Health for Healthcare Workers, Protection of Vulnerable Workers Old and New Occupational Diseases, Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing, Digital Innovations in Occupational Health, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility and Managing Health and Wellbeing in SMEs. A key takeaway was that much like the UK, the title Occupational Health Nurse is not protected across Europe or in the Republic of Ireland. This raises important questions about recognition, consistency, and professional standards across borders.
Other presentations:
- Professor Anne Harriss presented on “The Future of Occupational Health Nursing - Leading the Change.” She explored how the OHN role continues to evolve; with nurses increasingly taking on advanced responsibilities once reserved for physicians. Watch the full video
- Nadine Rauch (France), Past President of the Groupement des Infirmiers de Santé au Travail (GIT), spoke on “Implementing Advanced Practice in France.” She outlined key reforms shaping OH nursing in France, including setting a mandatory training framework for OH nurses. Advanced Practice Nursing in OH is being considered to address unmet needs, expand complex case management, and improve access and coordination across services. Watch the full video
- Dr Henriett Hirdi (Hungary), President of FOHNEU, provided a national overview of occupational health in Hungary. Watch the full video
- Dr Victoria Ferrua (Italy), President of the Italian Association of Occupational Health Nursing (AIOHN), presented the First National Report on the Nursing Profession in Italy. She highlighted workforce challenges including a low nurse-to-citizen ratio, a preference for public sector work, and concerns over retention, with nearly 45% of nurses considering leaving the profession. Watch the full video
- Valérie van Guick (Belgium), Co-President of BeFOHN, explored the evolving role of Occupational Health Nurse Leaders in Belgium’s external OH services. Her presentation reinforced that effective OHN leadership depends on strong connections between employers and employees, strategic insight into wellbeing legislation, and awareness of economic and political priorities. Watch the full video
- Judith Fakkel-van den Berge (Netherlands), Past Vice President and Interim President of FOHNEU, shared her perspectives on leadership and continuity within the European OHN community. Watch the full video
- Anna Karin Mouazzen (Sweden) University Lecturer at Örebro University, Anna Karin presented her research on “Experiences of Psychological, Social, and Organisational Work Environments in Occupational Health Services in Sweden.” Findings showed that while most OH professionals report overall satisfaction, harassment and bullying persist in some workplaces, a reminder of the ongoing need to foster psychologically safe environments. Watch the full video
Exploring Innovation and Research presentations included:
- AI in Occupational Health - Hype, Hope or Here to Stay?: Dr Cameron Black, MSK Physiotherapist, Buckinghamshire NHS Trust. Watch here
- Mentally Healthy Workplaces: Dr Caleb Leduc, University College Cork, presented on barriers and facilitators to implementing workplace mental health interventions, drawing on the MENTUPP four-year project. Learn more about MENTUPP
- Evolving Occupational Health Education: Janet O’Neill, Deputy Head, National School of Occupational Health (NHSE), discussed the future of OH education and training in the UK. Watch here
- Advancing Neurodiversity and Inclusivity Niamh Watson, BD Medical, Republic of Ireland, shared her research on strategic frameworks for neurodivergent employees. Watch here
The Congress was a reminder of how diverse, resilient, and forward-thinking the occupational health nursing community is across Europe. Despite structural and legislative differences, our shared goals: to protect, empower, and enable healthier working lives, unite us all.
*************************************************************************************
Suffering with Suicide: Revisioning distress and suicidality in women nurses - get involved in this research study, for details email info@nursesuicidestudy.com