Events

Society of Occupational Medicine and Royal Society of Medicine joint meeting

Venue: Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole Street, Marylebone, London, W1G 0AE

In today’s rapidly changing world, the intersection of health and employment is more critical than ever. This one-day conference brings together leading experts to address the pressing challenges and opportunities facing professionals in occupational health and related fields. 

Why is it important? 
With workplaces evolving due to technological advances, shifts in workforce demographics, and global and national health trends, staying informed on how these changes impact health and employment is essential for delivering effective support and policies. 

Why now? 
As we navigate post-pandemic realities, a growing emphasis on employee well-being, and complex legislative changes, there has never been a more crucial time to unite and share knowledge. 

Broader context: 
This event situates occupational health within the larger framework of workforce sustainability, public health, and organisational performance, offering unique perspectives from diverse leaders and experts in the field. 

Why you won't want to miss this event: 

- A unique opportunity to hear from high-profile speakers with expertise spanning research, policymaking, and practical occupational health delivery.
- Insight into current trends and future directions in health and employment, not readily available elsewhere. 
- A multidisciplinary audience fostering networking and collaboration across HR, healthcare, and occupational health sectors. 

Learning outcomes: 
Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of emerging challenges, innovative approaches, and actionable insights to adapt to this era of rapid change—knowledge not easily replicated at competing events. This conference is a must-attend for anyone committed to advancing health and well-being in the workplace during times of transition.

Discounted rate for SOM members. For further details and to book, visit the RSM website.

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

Engagement with policy makers to prevent ill health at work and to sustain people in their work, and the importance of national standards

The purpose of this webinar is to promote discussion of how we in the occupational health community can most effectively engage in current national initiatives, in the interest of preventing ill health at work and sustaining people in their work.

This exclusive webinar will cover:
•    The AOMRC statement
•    The Charlie Mayfield Review
•    Supporting ICS in implementation
 

Speaker: Robin Cordell 
MBA FRCP FFOM
President of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine

Robin Cordell is an accredited specialist in occupational medicine engaged in day to day clinical practice, and in the specialist training of those in the resident posts established in Cordell Health, a social enterprise which provides occupational health services to a wide range of organisations in the public, private and charitable sectors.  

Robin has broad experience, including more than 20 years in the Defence Medical Services, as a Past President of the Society of Occupational Medicine (2015/16) and a director of the Council for Work and Health since 2016 (to May 2025).  He led the review of the Safe Effective Quality Occupational Health Service (SEQOHS) standards and launch of the new standards, with a focus on outputs and outcomes, in June 2023.  

In September 2024, Robin was elected President of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM).  As President of the FOM, Robin is also Chair of the Board of Trustees of the charity, and responsible for strategy and governance.  He leads the Faculty team’s engagement in initiatives aimed at improving health at work nationally, and in advancing professional education and standards in occupational health.  In all his work, Robin is engaged in promoting workplace health, advising on preventing ill health related to work, and on supporting those with health problems to be sustained in good work. 

Chair: Dr Lanre Ogunyemi

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

Full session details:

The current two principal consultations on health and work, Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-b...  and the Independent report by Sir Charlie Mayfield Keep Britain Working Review: Discovery at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keep-britain-working-review-d... .  

We in FOM and SOM will comment on these consultations by 30 May 2025. FOM and SOM will also contribute to a response from the Council for Work and Health, of which both organisations are among the 37 members (as at: https://www.councilforworkandhealth.org.uk/https://www.councilforworkand... ).  

FOM is also engaged with those other members of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC), Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and Allied Health Professionals Federation (AHPF) that brought together the 2025 update on the Healthcare Professionals’ Consensus Statement for Action on Health and Work at: https://www.aomrc.org.uk/publication/2025-healthcare-professionals-conse... .  Observations from this group representing the breadth of health professionals across the UK include that the work being led by Sir Charlie Mayfield has a focus of those who are in work, and what can be done by employers to prevent people falling out of work. The principle is good work is good for mental health. The Get Britain Working Green Paper is more focused on those with disabilities; there are concerns that those with mental health conditions in particular might be disadvantaged.
We see these as two different groups, for which different approaches may be appropriate.

The publication on 10th  March 2025 of the Health Foundation’s Commission for Healthier Working Lives report Action for healthier working lives at: https://www.health.org.uk/reports-and-analysis/reports/action-for-health...  draws attention to  the lack of a universal standard for occupational health service delivery.  SEQOHS is specifically mentioned positively in this context, but the report states that it difficult for employers to identify cost-effective, high-quality support.  The centrality of standards will be discussed, to provide assurance that occupational health service delivery is of the right quality and delivers value.
 

Certificate in Managing Mental Health at Work

Wednesday 4th - Friday 6th June, A virtual course

Mental health issues are amongst the most common, complex and costly problems that OH professionals deal with in the workplace. This practical three-day qualification is designed to give OH professionals the in-depth knowledge, strategies, skills and techniques to successfully manage mental health in the workplace.

Join The At Work Partnership this June, virtually via Zoom, to gain this fantastic qualification that will help you to employ the right strategies, interventions and create a more engaged and productive workforce.

Benefits of attending for you and your organisation
You will gain:
- A comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of different strategies/interventions that organisations can adopt – so that you can review what will work in your workplace
- Detailed knowledge and practical skills to manage specific cases including an indepth understanding of different conditions
- The ability to assess the severity of a condition and its impact on a person’s job – so that you can recommend the best interventions to put in place for a particular case
- Enhanced skills and knowledge to use during OH consultations and in giving advice to managers
- In-depth understanding of reasonable adjustments in practice
- Advice on tools, resources and action plans
- Guidance on the relevant law

Their expert speakers:
The team of lecturers on the course have an outstanding level of knowledge and expertise and will use a combination of lectures and group work to ensure that you come away with the detailed knowledge and methods to make a positive impact on the mental health of the employees within your workplace.

The course is led by Dr Nerys Williams, and speakers include Dr John Ballard, Dr Paul Litchfield and Prof Diana Kloss. View the full line-up of speakers and programme at the link below.

Click here for full course details and to book online

EARLY BIRD RATE OFFER: Book and pay before 16th April and save £100 + VAT!

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

Summary of webinar: 
COVID-19 Public Inquiry -The experience
In this exclusive webinar professor Dinah Gould will outline the purpose and nature of public inquiries held in the UK, the remit of the Covid Inquiry, and will describe the experience of acting as an expert witness to Module 3 (infection prevention and control). 

Presenter Bio: 
Prof Dinah Gould, FRCN

Chair: Professor Anne Harriss

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