Welcome to the ALAMA 2008 Autumn Conference

'Health and Well-being' promises an intensive and challenging programme, centred on current and future changes affecting occupational physicians in their approach to, and delivery of, services as well as access to the latest thinking on clinical issues.

Dame Carol Black, National Director for Health and Work, will open the conference at 12 noon on Wednesday 19th November with a keynote presentation outlining the key themes and practical implications following her review of the health of the working age population, the publication of her report, Working for a Healthier Tomorrow and the impact this will have on the occupational helath profession.

The stimulating and diverse agenda includes access to leading examples of good practice in the promotion of health in the workplace. Scotland has already benefited from an active health promotional strategy aimed to improve health through engagement with employers. Dr Andrew Cubie, Chair, Healthy Working Lives National Advisory Committee, and a key player in the successful development of this programme over the past eight years, will speak of his experience of the Healthy Working Lives initiative. This will be supported by a critical look at a Dundee based integrated rehabilitation programme designed to improve outcomes for employees returning to work.

Increasingly we will all have to manage potential difficulties related to an aging workforce and Dr Joanne Crawford, a Senior Consultant Ergonomist, will present on Age Diversity and the Challenges of an Aging Workforce.

Dr Nerys Williams, Principal Occupational Physician at DWP opens the final day looking at Obesity in the Workplace. She will cover why it’s important for OHPs, the “size” of the problem and related work, management and clinical implications.

Professor Charles Warlow, Professor of Clinical Neurosciences at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh and adviser to the DVLA on neurological Conditions will discuss the Clinical and Occupational challenges of managing common neurological conditions.

Dr Tom McKay, Clinical Director, Department of Sleep Studies, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary has been invited to share his knowledge and experience in the assessment and treatment of sleep apnoea.
Clinical updates and an analysis of operational experiences in flood disaster areas complete the programme.

The highlight of the Conference dinner is after dinner speaker Jamie Andrew, the Scottish mountaineer who had his hands and feet amputated following a horrific accident in the French Alps and who, despite his handicap, has carried on with his mountaineering career with some amazing ascents all over the world.

We have also scheduled an optional 90-minute walking tour of the City’s eerie and long forgotten underground streets. Here you can marvel at historical & supernatural tales of Old Edinburgh in surroundings dating back to the medieval 1700’s where witches still practice their craft. The tour will end with a wee dram of a nightcap in a historic pub or in the Castle itself.

We would be delighted to see you in Scotland’s dramatic capital, enjoying the academic benefits and networking with like-minded professionals. So don’t miss out!

Book online or complete the attached pdf booking form and return it to the Conference office address.