Épisodes

  • SOM MINI CPD: Cannabis Prescriptions with Helen Vangikar

    SOM MINI CPD: Cannabis Prescriptions with Helen Vangikar
    Sep 9 2025
    Cannabis prescriptions are becoming more common in the UK, whether via NHS-approved routes or through private clinics. But how does this affect workplace drug testing and occupational health practice? In this CPD-focused episode, toxicologist Helen Vangikar explores:
    • The difference between NHS-authorised cannabis-based medicinal products (per the BNF) and privately issued prescriptions.
    • Why some organisations (e.g., Network Rail) will only accept BNF-listed cannabis prescriptions.
    • How Medical Review Officers should handle positive test results when legitimate prescriptions are involved.
    • The analytical challenges in laboratories—why they can’t distinguish private vs. street cannabis.
    • The need for consistent policy development across sectors and internationally.
    • The role of CBD vs. THC in testing and future trends in testing approaches and legal frameworks.
    This episode offers occupational health professionals valuable insights to stay informed and confident in their practice.

    Resources & Links
    • Helen Vangikar’s website: helenvangikar.com
    • Connect with Helen on LinkedIn: LinkedIn Profile
    • Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM): som.org.uk
    • Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM): fom.ac.uk


    The SOM podcast is sponsored by Orchid Live - 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 million UK workers and work with both in-house OH teams and OH providers. You can find out more at OrchidLive.com.
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    18 min
  • SOM FAM GROUP -Discussing the Pathway to Work Green Paper

    SOM FAM GROUP -Discussing the Pathway to Work Green Paper
    Aug 28 2025
    In this episode of the Society of Occupational Medicine’s Specialist Functional Assessment Medicine Group Podcast, host Karen Wallace speaks with Dr. Lanre Ogunyemi about the DWP’s Pathway to Work Green Paper and its bold vision for integrating work, health, and welfare reform. Together, they explore:
    • Why prevention and early intervention must be at the heart of any reform.
    • How occupational health can be embedded within welfare and healthcare systems.
    • The need for a tiered approach to functional assessment and return-to-work support.
    • The importance of training, leadership, and building confidence in occupational health.
    • The risks of getting reform wrong – and the opportunities if we get it right.
    With some “blue sky thinking,” the discussion considers what a future system could look like if access to occupational health was universal, technology was harnessed effectively, and prevention was truly prioritised. Key Takeaways:
    • The Green Paper offers a real opportunity for occupational health to shape the future of work and welfare.
    • A stepped, tiered model could better match support to individual needs.
    • Prevention and early intervention save money, reduce absence, and improve wellbeing.
    • Embedding occupational health into the NHS and wider welfare system is essential.
    • Without change, the UK risks worsening economic inactivity and rising welfare costs.
    Guest: Dr. Lanre Ogunyemi
    Host: Karen Wallace, SOM Functional Assessment Medicine Specialist Interest Group

    The SOM podcast is sponsored by Orchid Live - 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 million UK workers and work with both in-house OH teams and OH providers. You can find out more at OrchidLive.com.
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    31 min
  • SOM NEWS UPDATE - AUGUST 2025

    SOM NEWS UPDATE - AUGUST 2025
    Aug 22 2025
    Our monthly SOM News Update brings you the latest stories and insights from SOM and the wider OH world. Hosted by Steve Randall.

    SOM 90th anniversary - 2025
    Register here to attend the Anniversary dinner on Friday 26th September at the Apothecaries’ Hall, London. Guest speaker: Dame Carol Black.

    Links mentioned in the podcast:

    The competency framework will be formally launched this autumn via the SOM website and at the SOM Leadership Conference 2025, taking place on Thursday 9th October, 9.30am to 4.30pm at Alliance Manchester Business School. This will be a hybrid event, in-person and online. Register for in-person attendance here and online attendance here.

    SOM and the Faculty of Occupational Health Nursing (FOHN) Join Forces to Drive Impact and Collaboration READ MORE

    SOM blogs - What Occupational Health Is (and not) and OH: Managing the Hidden Risks of Health in the Workplace


    The SOM podcast is sponsored by Orchid Live - 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 million UK workers and work with both in-house OH teams and OH providers. You can find out more at OrchidLive.com.

    The SOM podcast is sponsored by Orchid Live - 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 million UK workers and work with both in-house OH teams and OH providers. You can find out more at OrchidLive.com.
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    12 min
  • SOM FAM GROUP - Reasonable Adjustments

    SOM FAM GROUP - Reasonable Adjustments
    Jul 31 2025
    This episode of the Society of Occupational Medicine's Specialist Interest Functional Assessment Medicine Group podcast delves into the critical topic of reasonable adjustments in the workplace.

    We explore the legal framework, practical considerations, and common challenges faced by both employers and employees.

    Hosted by Dr Karen Wallace, joined by occupational therapist Helen Valls-Russell and employment solicitor Kate Lawson, we discuss the definition of disability, the nuances of the Equality Act, affordability, employer expectations, and the crucial role of clinical opinion.

    The conversation also tackles prevalent issues such as neurodiversity, menopause, and the complexities of working from home in the context of reasonable adjustments.

    Key Themes & Discussion Points:
    • Defining Disability: A deep dive into the legal definition of disability under the Equality Act and the challenges employers face in identifying who is covered.
    • The "Reasonableness" Factor: Understanding what constitutes a "reasonable" adjustment, considering factors like practicality, financial cost, disruption to the business, and the size and resources of the employer.
    • The Role of Clinical Opinion: Discussing how occupational health practitioners provide guidance on disability and suggest adjustments, emphasizing the importance of clinical reasoning over simply repeating employee requests.
    • Communication is Key: Highlighting the vital role of open communication between employers, employees, and occupational health professionals to ensure effective and mutually beneficial adjustments.
    • Addressing Substantial Disadvantage: The core principle behind reasonable adjustments – identifying and alleviating the specific disadvantage experienced by a disabled employee.
    • Common Challenges & Practical Solutions:
      • Neurodiversity: Exploring various adjustments beyond just working from home, such as quiet rooms, noise-cancelling headphones, and flexible working arrangements.
      • Menopause: Discussing how menopause symptoms can amount to a disability and the range of individualized adjustments that can be considered, from temperature control to managing anxiety and confidence.
      • Working from Home: Examining when remote work is a beneficial adjustment and when it might not be the best solution, especially concerning isolation or specific functional needs.
    • Access to Work: How this scheme can support employers in making otherwise unfeasible adjustments.
    • Functional Approach: Emphasizing the importance of focusing on how a condition impacts an individual's function rather than solely on the diagnosis when recommending adjustments.
    Speakers:
    • Dr. Karen Wallace: Host, Society of Occupational Medicine's Specialist Interest Functional Assessment Medicine Group
    • Helen Valls-Russell: Experienced Occupational Therapist and Director at Ergocom
    • Kate Lawson: Experienced Specialist Employment Solicitor and Director at Element Law


    The SOM podcast is sponsored by Orchid Live - 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 million UK workers and work with both in-house OH teams and OH providers. You can find out more at OrchidLive.com.
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    31 min
  • SOM NEWS UPDATE - JULY 2025

    SOM NEWS UPDATE - JULY 2025
    Jul 25 2025
    Our monthly SOM News Update brings you the latest stories and insights from SOM and the wider OH world. Hosted by Steve Randall.

    SOM 90th anniversary - 2025
    Register here to attend the Anniversary dinner on Friday 26th September at the Apothecaries’ Hall, London. Guest speaker: Dame Carol Black.

    Links mentioned in the podcast:

    Occupational Health Audits guidance

    Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper -Response from SOM here

    Parliamentary Question - Peter Lamb, MP submitted a question about what the Government is doing re. introducing a women’s health workplace strategy – response from the Government, here.

    Draft AI guidance - iOH / SOM have produced draft guidance and risk assessment for OH and AI.



    The SOM podcast is sponsored by Orchid Live - 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 million UK workers and work with both in-house OH teams and OH providers. You can find out more at OrchidLive.com.

    The SOM podcast is sponsored by Orchid Live - 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 million UK workers and work with both in-house OH teams and OH providers. You can find out more at OrchidLive.com.
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    14 min
  • SOM MINI CPD: Chronic Pain with Richmond Stace

    SOM MINI CPD: Chronic Pain with Richmond Stace
    Jul 17 2025
    In this episode of the SOM Podcast Mini CPD Series, host Steve Randall speaks with renowned pain coach Richmond Stace to explore a transformational approach to chronic pain—one that moves beyond the traditional biomedical model.

    Richmond introduces the principles of pain coaching, rooted in neuroscience, psychology, and patient-centred care. Learn how shifting the focus from “fixing pain” to “understanding the person experiencing it” can unlock better outcomes in workplace health and recovery.
    🔍 Key Topics Covered:
    • Why chronic pain isn't always about where it hurts
    • Limitations of the biomedical model in occupational health
    • The science behind pain as a lived, conscious experience
    • How beliefs and narratives shape pain
    • Personalising movement and recovery strategies
    • Building supportive, empathetic workplace cultures
    • The crucial role of communication in pain management

    📖 Related Reading:
    👉 Chronic Pain in the Workplace: A New Perspective for Occupational Health — [Read Richmond's article on the SOM site]
    📲 Connect with Richmond Stace:
    • 📷 Instagram: @paincoach
    • 💼 LinkedIn: Richmond Stace
    • ✉️ Substack: Pain Talking Newsletter


    The SOM podcast is sponsored by Orchid Live - 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 million UK workers and work with both in-house OH teams and OH providers. You can find out more at OrchidLive.com.
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    20 min
  • OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS SERIES - EP 4 - Vocational Rehab

    OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS SERIES - EP 4 - Vocational Rehab
    Jul 10 2025
    In this episode of the SOM Occupational Therapists Series, host Jo Vallom-Smith is joined by Helen Valls-Russell, a passionate and experienced occupational therapist specialising in vocational rehabilitation (VR).

    Together, they unpack what VR really means, how it integrates with occupational health, and why early intervention is crucial to successful work return outcomes.

    Helen shares insights into the multidisciplinary nature of vocational rehab, discusses how it can be a bridge between healthcare and employment, and explains how OTs are uniquely equipped to assess and support functional work readiness.

    Whether you're an occupational therapist, a case manager, or just curious about how rehabilitation meets the world of work, this episode is full of practical insights, evidence-based discussion, and real-world applications.

    Key Topics:
    • What is vocational rehabilitation?
    • How VR differs from and complements occupational health
    • The importance of early intervention in return-to-work outcomes
    • Functional restoration and work hardening
    • The role of OTs in VR and how to get involved
    • Challenges and opportunities in small and medium-sized businesses
    • Collaborative working with employers and other stakeholders
    Resources Mentioned:
    • Vocational Rehabilitation Association (VRA)
    • Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM)


    The SOM podcast is sponsored by Orchid Live - 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 million UK workers and work with both in-house OH teams and OH providers. You can find out more at OrchidLive.com.
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    18 min
  • SOM NEWS UPDATE - JUNE 2025

    SOM NEWS UPDATE - JUNE 2025
    Jun 25 2025
    Our monthly SOM News Update brings you the latest stories and insights from SOM and the wider OH world. Hosted by Steve Randall.

    SOM 90th anniversary - 2025
    Register here to attend the Anniversary dinner on Friday 26th September at the Apothecaries’ Hall, London. Guest speaker: Dame Carol Black.


    Links mentioned in the podcast:

    SOM President election




    The SOM podcast is sponsored by Orchid Live - 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 million UK workers and work with both in-house OH teams and OH providers. You can find out more at OrchidLive.com.


    The SOM podcast is sponsored by Orchid Live - 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 million UK workers and work with both in-house OH teams and OH providers. You can find out more at OrchidLive.com.
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    7 min