Research

Robotics can transform health and safety as well as efficiency – report
Robotics technologies have the potential to transform health and safety as well as efficiency within the workplace, but fears they may ‘take over’ and lead to jobs being lost also…

Study suggests Epstein-Barr virus could be trigger for multiple sclerosis
A common childhood virus could be an important trigger for multiple sclerosis (MS) in later life, research has suggested.

Study: Health workers must develop better connections with ethnic minorities
Health professionals should learn how to develop better connections with patients to improve the care of those who belong to ethnic minority groups, a study has recommended. Researchers from the…
Clinical governance

FOHN accreditation to enable OH nurses to use new post-nominals
The Faculty of Occupational Health Nursing is launching a new accreditation scheme that will enable OH nurses to use a new set of post-nominals. Nic Paton looks at what it…

Mental health: NICE gives go-ahead to eight digitally enabled therapies
Eight digitally enabled therapies to treat mental ill health, including depression and anxiety disorders, in adults have been conditionally recommended for approval by the National Institute for Health and Care…

Physiotherapists body issues warning over PRP injection training courses
A body representing physiotherapists has issued a warning about platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection training courses, suggesting that one-day courses are insufficient.
Continuing professional development

CPD: OH and HR working together to support long Covid
Many people are still experiencing the debilitating effects of long Covid. This presents an opportunity for OH and HR to work together to facilitate a successful return to work, utilising…

CPD activities: Long Covid – OH and HR as strategic partners
These CPD activities will help occupational health nurses understand how they can work with HR to support people with long Covid back into work.

CPD: Supporting workers through financial difficulties (on-demand webinar)
Webinar exclusively for OHW+ Premium members | Learn how the Mersey Care Occupational Health and Wellbeing Service has mobilised a comprehensive offer of support as cost-of-living pressures impact NHS staff.
Disability

TUC calls for Covid inquiry to probe pandemic failings of UK sick pay
The failings of the UK’s sick pay system need to be put firmly in the spotlight when the Covid-19 public inquiry starts hearing witness evidence from next week, the TUC has said.

Severe mental illness linked to ‘preventable’ physical disease death
More than 26,000 adults with severe mental illness die prematurely each year from preventable physical illnesses, according to a royal college. The Royal College of Psychiatrists crunched the latest data…

Study suggests Epstein-Barr virus could be trigger for multiple sclerosis
A common childhood virus could be an important trigger for multiple sclerosis (MS) in later life, research has suggested.
Health surveillance

Ongoing pandemic disruption causing 7,000 diabetes deaths per year
As many as 7,000 people in England with diabetes are dying unnecessarily each year because of post-pandemic backlogs, delays, and disruption, the charity Diabetes UK has warned. Barely half (47%)…

Closed-loop diabetes devices ‘life-changing’, but shouldn’t replace screening
New glucose-monitoring diabetes devices are creating “life-changing benefits”, but aren’t a silver bullet and should not replace screening, the charity Diabetes UK has said. A study by the charity into…

Exposure to chemical agents heightens pancreatic cancer risk
Working with chemical agents increases a person’s risk of developing pancreatic cancer with every year of exposure, research has suggested.
Musculoskeletal disorders

Robotics can transform health and safety as well as efficiency – report
Robotics technologies have the potential to transform health and safety as well as efficiency within the workplace, but fears they may ‘take over’ and lead to jobs being lost also…

Call for evidence an opportunity to highlight value of OH
Occupational health professionals have an opportunity to highlight to the government the value of return to work as a health outcome, the importance of workplace health, and the role that…

Little evidence that antidepressants work for chronic pain
There is very little scientific proof that being prescribed antidepressants will help people with long-term chronic pain, a study has suggested.
OH employment law

CPD: biological and gender-based health inequalities
It’s important to be aware of the inequalities in healthcare provision and health outcomes for men, women, transgender, non-binary and intersex employees, which arise from biology and societal attitudes. Emma…

CPD activities: biological and gender-based health inequalities
Occupational health professionals should be aware that biological sex- and gender-based factors can contribute to inequalities in healthcare provision and outcomes. These activities, compiled by Professor Anne Harriss, aim to…

How an ‘Empowerment Passport’ can enable disability and neurodiversity adjustments
The creator of an ‘Empowerment Passport’ explains how her document can help employees and organisations with reasonable adjustments.
OH service delivery

CPD: OH and HR working together to support long Covid
Many people are still experiencing the debilitating effects of long Covid. This presents an opportunity for OH and HR to work together to facilitate a successful return to work, utilising…

Eating disorders: how occupational therapists can work with OH
Occupational therapy can support someone with an eating disorder through recovery and return to work.

Call for evidence an opportunity to highlight value of OH
Occupational health professionals have an opportunity to highlight to the government the value of return to work as a health outcome, the importance of workplace health, and the role that…
Return to work and rehabilitation

First oral treatment for migraine symptoms gets NHS green light
An oral treatment for migraine symptoms that involves dissolving a medicated wafer under your tongue has been approved for use in the NHS, and could as a result benefit hundreds…

TUC calls for Covid inquiry to probe pandemic failings of UK sick pay
The failings of the UK’s sick pay system need to be put firmly in the spotlight when the Covid-19 public inquiry starts hearing witness evidence from next week, the TUC has said.

CPD: OH and HR working together to support long Covid
Many people are still experiencing the debilitating effects of long Covid. This presents an opportunity for OH and HR to work together to facilitate a successful return to work, utilising…
Sickness and absence management

First oral treatment for migraine symptoms gets NHS green light
An oral treatment for migraine symptoms that involves dissolving a medicated wafer under your tongue has been approved for use in the NHS, and could as a result benefit hundreds…

TUC calls for Covid inquiry to probe pandemic failings of UK sick pay
The failings of the UK’s sick pay system need to be put firmly in the spotlight when the Covid-19 public inquiry starts hearing witness evidence from next week, the TUC has said.

Warnings of dentistry crisis amid rising costs and reduced access
The UK is rapidly heading for a dentistry crisis, with the number of NHS dentists now at its lowest level for a decade and rising costs, even on the NHS,…
Wellbeing and health promotion

First oral treatment for migraine symptoms gets NHS green light
An oral treatment for migraine symptoms that involves dissolving a medicated wafer under your tongue has been approved for use in the NHS, and could as a result benefit hundreds…

Warnings of dentistry crisis amid rising costs and reduced access
The UK is rapidly heading for a dentistry crisis, with the number of NHS dentists now at its lowest level for a decade and rising costs, even on the NHS,…

Third of outdoor workers never use sun protection
A survey has warned that nearly a third of outdoor workers never apply UV sun protection cream while at work.