SOM President election

Hilary Winch, RGN,

Diploma in Occupational health (Distinction)

Hilary Winch, RGN, Diploma in Occupational Health (Distinction) With over 25 years’ experience as an occupational health nurse, I bring a deep understanding of our profession and a passion for raising the visibility, quality, and impact of occupational health across all sectors. I have worked extensively in NHS, public, and private sector OH, supporting organisations ranging from large corporates to SMEs. This breadth of experience gives me clear insight into the diverse challenges facing occupational health professionals today. As Chair of the NHS Health at Work Network from 2021 to 2025, I led national engagement across NHS OH services and represented the profession at senior levels. I worked closely with NHS England, government departments, and policymakers to embed occupational health into national strategy and workforce planning. I am passionate about quality in occupational health practice and have consistently championed professional standards, clinical governance, and the sharing of good practice. I am a strong advocate for using research to drive service improvement, shape policy, and support innovation across disciplines—ensuring that services are not only evidence-based, but also accessible, inclusive, and outcome-focused. Education and continuing professional development are vital to our future. I have supported the creation of practical learning resources, peer networks, and mentoring opportunities—helping to equip our workforce with the skills they need. I am equally committed to strengthening recruitment and retention across all roles and promoting career pathways that reflect the evolving nature of OH. My leadership extends to national work with both SOM and FOM on key initiatives to improve OH delivery, education, and influence. I have also supported national collaborations that enhance the voice of occupational health across sectors. SOM has played an important role in my own development, and I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to its future.

It would be an honour to serve as president, I would be truly grateful for your support

Professor Drushca Lalloo

MBChB (Glas), PhD (Glas), FFOM (UK), FFOMI (IRL)

As a Consultant Physician with over 20 years of working across both the NHS and private sector, I have gained a wealth of experience across various workforces ranging from sausage makers to grave diggers, such is the remarkable variety of OH practice. I am immensely passionate about our wonderful specialty and have worked to promote the value that we bring to employers, workers, Government, the economy and society as a whole. I am a strong advocate of multi-disciplinary OH and of delivering the highest standards of OH services. In my day-to-day practice, I gain valuable insight into the changing nature of work/workforces, the challenges this can bring, and potential solutions to address these.

More widely, I strive to increase the visibility/standing of OH as a clinical specialty to other health professionals to facilitate better outcomes for all our patients i.e., putting ‘work as a health outcome’ into practice. As a Professor/clinical academic, I work to promote a sound evidence-base to our OH practice through research and teaching.

As Medical Director and Head of OH at Sky, I have experience of international leadership with valuable insight into the public face of organisations and media/communications management.

I am an active supporter of the Society’s work, with previous contributions including:

• Scottish Group Chair - leadership of the Scotland OH community for a 2.5-year term including organising/hosting two scientific conferences per year and educational meetings.
• Interview panellist for SOM CEO appointment.
• SOM publications including ‘The Value of OH research’ and Covid-19 guidelines.

My 20-year SOM membership has been invaluable to my educational development and career growth and has introduced me to some of my closest friends in OH. It would be an honour and privilege to continue to support our fabulous Society.