The SOM Podcast

In this inaugural episode of a new SOM podcast series, we delve into the vital role of occupational therapists in occupational health, with a special focus on cognitive functioning. 

Join Jo Vallom-Smith and Lisa Harrison as they discuss the intricacies of cognition, the common cognitive conditions encountered in the workplace, and the impact these conditions have on various job roles.

Gain insights into effective strategies for supporting employees with cognitive challenges and learn about the importance of reasonable adjustments in fostering a conducive work environment. This episode promises to be both informative and practical for occupational health professionals.

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.

In this episode, we explore the critical role of safeguarding within functional assessment medicine with healthcare professionals Dr. Karen Wallace, Dr. Mark Randall, and Helen Valls-Russell.

They discuss the importance of understanding functional assessment and its implications for patient safety, particularly in the context of work and health.

Tune in to learn about the challenges faced in safeguarding and how effective communication can bridge gaps in care.

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.

In the first of our ‘mini CPD’ episodes, Dr. Nancy Doyle, founder of Genius Within, joins us to discuss neurodiversity and its implications for occupational health professionals. 

We explore how understanding neurodiversity can foster inclusivity in the workplace and enhance employee wellbeing. Dr. Doyle provides insights into the differences between neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals, the importance of language in identifying these conditions, and how professionals can support individuals without always relying on formal diagnoses.

Listen and discover practical strategies for creating a more inclusive work environment. Find out more about Genius Within on their website and on LinkedIn.

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.

New for 2025 is our monthly SOM News Roundup, bringing you the latest stories and insights from SOM and the wider OH world. Hosted by Steve Randall.

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.

In this episode, join Dr Karen Wallace, Dr Emma Hogan and Dr Sathya Partheeban as they delve into the intricacies of the work capability assessment process and the vital connection between health and work.

They provide insights into the journey of patients from the GP's office to the assessment, explaining the roles of healthcare professionals and the importance of accurate medical evidence. This enlightening discussion aims to enhance understanding among healthcare practitioners about the functional assessment medicine landscape.

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 Office for National Statistics has today published its latest data on economic inactivity.

SOM CEO Nick Pahl and president-elect Neil Greenberg have been looking at the stats. 

The data release is available on the ONS website. 

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.

In this episode of the SOM Podcast, we discuss occupational health placements and their role in growing the interest and understanding of occupational health (OH). Our panel of experts, Janet O’Neill, Deputy Head of the National School of Occupational Health, Karen Lever, Head of the Occupational Health Department at Keele University, and David Nti-Jackson, Clinical Practice Lecturer at Keele University are joined by students Shannon and Skye, who share their experiences of taking part in the OH placements programme at Keele.

The conversation delves into strategies for workforce development, the challenges and benefits of student placements, and the vital collaboration between universities and employers. Discover how these initiatives are shaping the future of occupational health and why it's an exciting career path for aspiring healthcare professionals. Hosted by Steve Randall.

Links:

•  Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM): https://www.som.org.uk/
• SOM Careers in Occupational Health: https://www.som.org.uk/careers 
• National School of Occupational Health: https://eastmidlandsdeanery.nhs.uk/occupational-health/national-school-occupational-health
• Faculty of Occupational Health Nursing https://www.fohn.org.uk/ 
• Faculty of Occupational Medicine: https://www.fom.ac.uk/ 
• Keele University https://www.keele.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.

Are you interested in a career in occupational medicine? In this episode of the SOM Podcast, occupational health physicians Dr Richard Peters and Dr Jayne Moore discuss the specialty of occupational medicine (OM) and what a career in OM entails.
 
Discover how this specialty balances the impact of work on health and vice versa, the importance of workplace risk assessments, and the journey to becoming an occupational health physician.
 
Whether you're a medical student curious about this career path, a doctor looking to move fields, or you’re just interested in the intersection of health and work, this episode offers valuable insights into a specialty that safeguards our health and wellbeing in the workplace. Hosted by Steve Randall.
 
Links:

Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) website: https://www.som.org.uk/

SOM Careers in Occupational Health: https://www.som.org.uk/careers

Faculty of Occupational Medicine: https://www.fom.ac.uk/

National School of Occupational Health: https://eastmidlandsdeanery.nhs.uk/occupational-health/national-school-occupational-health


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.

In this episode of the SOM Podcast, Angela Matthews, Head of Policy and Research at Business Disability Forum and Mandy Whalley, founder of The Empowerment Passport™ and registered occupational therapist, discuss the need for and many benefits of disability passports.

Angela and Mandy explain how these passports are helping employees with disabilities and long-term conditions manage their workplace adjustments. They provide an overview of the history and current use of disability passports and insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by different passport models. Hosted by Steve Randall.

About the speakers:

Angela Matthews is Head of Policy and Research at Business Disability Forum (BDF). She is an adviser to and research partner on several academic research projects related to work, health, and disability. She delivers BDF’s responses to public policy consultations and leads research engagement with disabled employees in BDF’s member organisations. Angela’s current research projects at BDF include language and culture change in disability workforce reporting methodologies, workplace adjustments, and interventions for better transitions between higher education and employment.

Mandy Whalley is an occupational therapist whose diverse career has been a journey through many settings. Mandy’s passion for neurodiversity comes from her professional and personal life supporting her son with autism, ADHD and dyslexia. Her journey has been driven by wanting to understand people’s needs and find person centred solutions to their goals. This led to the creation of her empowerment passport.

Links:

• The Empowerment Passport™: https://empowermentpassport.co.uk/ 
• Business Disability Forum (BDF): https://businessdisabilityforum.org.uk/
• Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM): https://www.som.org.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.

Working together in multidisciplinary teams

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.