More people than ever are off work due to ill health. Employee mental health and musculoskeletal issues are a particular concern for businesses, large and small. The government have responded by recognising the need for business to access occupational health. Now, more than ever, it is important to raise the country’s awareness of what occupational health is and why it should be available to every employee.
SOM and COHPA recognise that working together will provide a greater collective voice for occupational health (OH). We are therefore delighted to announce we are forming a strategic partnership from January 2024, with the aim of access to OH for every employee in the UK. COHPA will merge into the SOM with all members transferred over and invited to become Corporate Supporters of the SOM. Please visit the SOM Corporate Supporter page to find out more. COHPA members are now not required to renew membership fees. Anna Jones will be contacting all existing COHPA members at the appropriate time in the year.
The monthly SOM Commercial providers group will be renamed ‘The SOM COHPA Commercial providers group’. Dr Mike Goldsmith will remain chair of the group and his role as lifetime President of COHPA is acknowledged.
Anna Jones at COHPA will be working with SOM, facilitating business leads, and providing all existing COHPA membership benefits. SOM will be hosting the COHPA website with the aim of improving the Corporate Supporter area and highlighting the role of commercial providers within the industry.
SOM and COHPA will also be exhibiting together at Health and Wellbeing at Work 12-13th March 2024, so please pop along to stand 132 and say hello!
Plans are also afoot for this year’s OH Awareness Week 23rd-29th September 2024, with a focus on working closely with OH providers on the return on investment of using OH strategy for media engagement. Do send in any case studies to share for this.
In December there will be a Commercial Providers meet, followed by the SOM OH awards ceremony. Details to be announced in due course.
SOM and COHPA are extremely excited about our plans for 2024 and in particular the benefits our alliance will bring to the whole industry.
If you have any questions, please contact Anna Jones anna.jones@som.org.uk or Nick Pahl nick.pahl@som.org.uk