We hope that the website and discussion forum can enhance communication and collaboration between our own members and national groups. This web site has been developed for you and we would be pleased to receive feedback on any development ideas you may have to improve this site.
Bettina Critchley
Chairman
We are excited to welcome back due to popular demand Martin Davies RMN Dip.CPN on the 30th April 2009. Martin is an excellent speaker and was enjoyed by all at his last visit to the group in 2008, when he talked to us about strategies for managing depression in the workplace. Feedback from the last study day was “Bring Martin back”, “Brilliantly presented”, “Excellent seminar”, “Thought provoking”, “Humorous”. Martin’s presentations are lively and amusing, yet contain serious messages for us all. So we look forward to a brilliant and interesting study day in April on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Book early to avoid disappointment, we were fully booked the last time Martin came and had to turn members away.
(Martin Davies RMN Dip.CPN)
2009 Membership
To receive your membership discount on study day please complete membership form and send with study day application.
We were delighted with the positive feedback from our occupational skin disorders study day we had 24 positive comments written on the evaluation forms which was very encouraging. The full evaluation feedback results can be assessed from the link below.
The comments included:-
“Excellent study day. Very relevant to OH practice. High quality speakers. Valuable information that can be directly applied to practice. Very useful network and learning. Fantastic! Excellent day, Very informative. Excellent for OH practice both theory and practical application. One feels able to stop the speaker and to ask for relevant explanation. Very good professional update day. Excellent day again, Thank you. Well done, another one well organised. Thanks to committee.”
The study day started with a very informative session from a skin cancer specialist nurse practitioner communicating valuable advice about the identification of skin cancers, the management of skin cancer patients and what we can do as occupational health nurses to prevent future skin cancers within our workforces. The second session was delivered by a clinical nurse consultant and was very informative about the latest latex research including latex glove usage and the biological protect different gloves give. The third session was delivered by a safety officer and gave the group an over view of skin safety in the work place including chemical safety and an overview of the glove grading system. The fourth session looked at the legal aspects of occupational skin disorders and about case law giving us a valuable insight into the legal aspects of occupational skin disorders. The last two sessions gave an over view of the latest techniques for occupational skin health surveillance and an insight into whether a skin problem is due to an occupational reason.
Members can access some of the power point presentations via the members only area of the website.
Work Place Health
Rachel Marriott is new in post as the ‘Workplace Development Officer’ for the Health Promotion Service at Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust. Rachel’s role is ‘to develop a workplace health promotion programme for Cornwall & Isles of Scilly’ and within this hopes to develop a Cornwall & Isles of Scilly ‘Healthy Workplace Award Scheme/Standard’
Dame Carol Black's Review
Dame Carol Black has published her review of the health of Britain’s
working age population. Dame Carol Blacks review- link
http://www.workingforhealth.gov.uk/Carol-Blacks-Review/
The results of the survey we carried out looking at OH training needs in the area are now posted on the following link, thank you for taking the time to fill these questionaires in. I am please to inform you that due to discussions following our survey Plymonth University have agreed to start running a part time OH degree course, which will entail one day a week at university instead of the current impracticable (for many) three days a week, although the full time option will still be available. We feel that this is a really postive move forward, if you require any information about the course please contact Jenny Rafferty on jenny.rafferty@plymouth.ac.uk Bath university results also show distance learning, part-time or short courses would meet our needs more than full time courses.
The RCN Health, Work and Wellbeing Stakeholder Day
Dear all,
The RCN Health, Work and Wellbeing stakeholder day was a great success with many new ideas discussed. Cynthia Atwell (Chair Society of Occupational Health Nursing) opened the day. Dame Carol Black gave an update on the Health, Work and Wellbeing strategy (see link). The group then looked at where we are now and what needs to be done-strengths and barriers. Following the work groups Maura Buchanan (President of RCN) gave a presentation on “work matters”. The group then discussed the proposals and how to make them happen-from theory to practice. The proposals from the day and Dame Carol Black’s presentation have been posted on the following link. A copy of the suggestions I received from our members was given to both Dame Carol Black and Cynthia Atwell. Dame Carol Black’s review I believe is set to propose big changes for workplace health, speculation is growing that there will be some radical suggestions when her review of the working health of the nation is published. A National Health at Work Service and ‘health passports’ for everyone of working age are all issues believed to have been under serious discussion within Whitehall. http://www.workingforhealth.gov.uk We look forward to these proposals with interest.
