The Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) is the UK organisation for all other healthcare professionals working in or with an interest in occupational health. It is concerned with:
the protection of the health of people in the workplace
the prevention of occupational injuries and disease
related environmental issues
We are a registered charity, founded in 1935 as the Association of Industrial Medical Officers, it changed its name to become the Society of Occupational Medicine in 1965.
The SOM stimulates interest and research in occupational health and medicine with the government, the healthcare community, health charities and other bodies. SOM aims to be a leading voice, responding and proactively informing the media and policy makers on work and health issues. It hosts a leading journal, Occupational Medicine.
The SOM offers continuing professional development and education for all doctors and healthcare professionals working in occupational health. It is also a forum for the exchange of ideas, best practice and networking, through its regional groups. It also works globally, through its leadership of the International Occupational Medicine Collaborative.
SOM Vision - Work Well, Be Well, Live Well
SOM Goals
Aim 1: Increased our multidisciplinary membership through tangible benefits, fostering a sense of community, and attracting new members
Attract new members
Provide tangible benefits to members
Foster a strong, diverse and accessible Community
Measures of success
To deliver this we will:
Work with members to identify needs and provide new member benefits
Aim to ensure our membership renewal rate improves year on year
Increase member engagement and attendance at regional group meetings, webinars AGM and conference
Implement a communications plan to increase our social media and online communities
Review and aim to continually improve our events offer and appraisal system
Aim 2: Raise the regional, national and international influence of SOM
Engage policy makers and business to understand the value of occupational health and medicine, with persuasive briefing materials and thought leadership
Demonstrating that practice is underpinned by high quality evidence, through our Journal, Occupational Medicine.
Nationally, stakeholders include employers, trade unions members of the Houses of Commons and Lords, NHS providers and commissioners, universities and funding councils. SOM supports the Council for Work and Health that assists with our advocacy to government. Regionally, responsibility for a range of issues is devolved to the Department of Health in England, and equivalents in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so briefings will be targeted to the appropriate administrations. Nationally, and regionally, the SOM will also develop its dialogue with NHS Commissioners and health boards, patient groups, and local authority-led health and wellbeing boards. Internationally, we will also encourage development of the SOM International Group, International Occupational Medicine Society Collaborative (IOMSC) support and inform international dialogue.
Aim 3 SOM is a cost effective and efficient organisation, with a stable business model and good governance
