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Dear member,
When the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine was founded five years ago it was never our ambition to be a lone voice campaigning for change. We wanted our society to be part of a movement – an international network of groups and organisations committed to “reframing healthcare” for the benefit of all.
Five years on, the extent of that network has exceeded all our expectations. BSLM is now part of a growing family of lifestyle medicine societies across the globe brought together through thriving umbrella organisations such as the Lifestyle Medicine Global Alliance and the European Lifestyle Medicine Council.
BSLM continues to playing an active role in the international lifestyle medicine movement - and we look forward to joining our partners from the ELMC when it meets on March 29th this month.
Our number of aligned organisations also continues to grow – with Swim England, Plant Based Health Online and The Low Carb Food Company our most recent additions to the fold!
BSLM team continues to grow
We would like to welcome some new staff who have joined us this month. Andrew Howie is our new Head of Growth and Development and will be taking on responsibility for the charity’s core finance functions as well as the development of the British Academy of Lifestyle Medicine. Andrew has a wealth of experience across the charitable and private sectors including senior roles at Dementia Matters and Big Local in Gateshead.
In our commitment to creating a learning culture, we have also recruited two new apprentices, Amy Young and Sarah Nicolson, who are a welcome addition to our office admin and membership support functions.
Andrew will be working alongside the project’s clinical lead Dr Ellen Fallows to take forward our plans for our new learning academy in the coming months with the aim of launching in September.
We were delighted to be joined by more than 70 of our members and other interested clinicians and educators, to set out our ambitions for the academy at an online meeting last month.
If you missed the meeting you can watch it on “catch up” on our vimeo channel (password: LearningAcademy1)
In the coming weeks we will be choosing the Learning Management System for the academy – and we have already applied to trademark British Academy of Lifestyle Medicine.
Please get in touch via office@bslm.org.uk with your completed initial interest form, if you would like to get involved with the development of the academy.
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The office team is also busy putting together a packed programme for our forthcoming annual conference which takes place in Edinburgh this September.
We can now reveal some of our keynote speakers and topics – full details on the BSLM website.
We're delighted to be joined by ...
- Former Chief Medical Officer for England Dame Sally Davies
- President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine Kate Collings
- Tim Spector, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology and Director of the TwinsUK Registry at Kings College, London.
- Former director general of the National Trust Dame Fiona Reynolds
Book your 'early bird' discounted tickets for BSLM2021 now
The conference takes place at the ICCC September 2-4 however we will also be ‘live streaming’ content for those who wish to attend virtually.
Our 2021 Call for Abstracts is now open for submissions.
Once again we are inviting you to submit poster presentation abstracts which demonstrate the value of lifestyle medicine in clinical practice.
The deadline for submissions is May 21st.
Primary care nurses and healthcare assistants play a crucial role in the delivery of health promotion and supporting patients to make lifestyle changes.
We are actively seeking new members among this group and would like to offer a warm welcome to you at our annual conference. We'd encourage all our members to raise awareness of BSLM among these professions.
Remember, attending BSLM2021 will help you secure your annual CPD for preventive health, cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes management ... and much more!
Find out more about BSLM associate membership
for nurses and healthcare assistants
BSLM latest news
The BSLM blog: the life saving benefits of good sleep
The importance of getting a good night’s sleep is crucial for our overall health, says Glasgow-based GP and BSLM member Sheena Fraser in the BSLM blog this month.
Sleep plays a vital role in a healthy immune system, our body’s metabolism, cognitive function and even our stress response. Dr Fraser shares her personal sleep story and offers some great tips for getting that perfect seven – nine hours of unbroken sleep every night.
Regional BSLM groups get together online
Our regional groups continue to go from strength to strength and are an opportunity for you to meet lifestyle medicine clinicians and health professionals local to you.
BSLM's Manchester group met this month, with members learning more about mindfulness and its potential to help people with chronic pain, depression and anxiety. Speakers included Lancashire-based GP Dr Ryan Peers and Dr Jon Kabut Zinn of the University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care Center for Mindfulness. Dr Megan Steward also gave a talk on the links between 'food and mood', with a focus on the SMILES trial.
Contact Ruth Cammish and Meg Steward for details of the group's next meeting in May.
BSLM members in Norfolk are also getting together online on March 25th at 7pm. Contact Sarah Sykes for more information.
Lifestyle Medicine Journal - read the latest edition online
The latest edition of the Lifestyle Medicine Journal, edited by our very own Director of Science & Research Fraser Birrell, is out now.
Articles this edition include:
- A review of lifestyle factors effect on the development and treatment of depression and anxiety
- A report on the delivery of lifestyle medicine interventions via GP‐led group consultations
- A study from Ghana examining whether psychological distress in patients with T2DM can impact on adherence to dietary recommendations and therefore glycemic controls.
BSLM Special Interest Groups seek new members
Our BSLM Special Interest Groups are on the lookout for new members.
BSLM Special Interest Groups (SIGs) provide an evidence-based resource for our members and the wider public.
SIGs members work together to develop consensus on best practice in their specialist area - and share information and expertise to speed up learning and the integration of Lifestyle Medicine into practice.
Current SIGs cover:
- Physical activity
- Secondary care
- Planetary health
- Schools
- Social prescribing
- Sleep (new!)
- Primary care (new!)
- Nursing (new!)
Please email office@bslm.org.uk for details about how to get involved.
Obesity report explores link between COVID and weight
The World Obesity Federation has produced a report exploring the links between COVID-19 and bodyweight.
The report found that increased bodyweight was the second greatest predictor of hospitalisation and high risk of death for those with the virus.
Addressing this risk factor would have reduced pressure on health services, the report's authors concluded.
Read more on the World Obesity Federation's website.
Enjoy Sound Living the BSLM podcast with Dr Helen Lawal
There are now six episodes of the BSLM podcast Sound Living with Dr Helen Lawal to enjoy.
Dr Helen finds doctors and other health experts from around the world to bring you reliable information, based on facts and research, to inspire and support you to improve your health and wellbeing.
Topics covered include: an introduction to lifestyle medicine; pregnancy, creating healthy new habits, sleep, healthcare workers and stress, COVID-19 and mental health.
Join the thousands of clinicians and health professionals from around the world who have taken their lifestyle medicine practice to the next level by getting certified in lifestyle medicine.
Studying for the exam involves a mix of self-directed and in-person learning, as well as the completion of a case study.
Find our more at bslm.org.uk/education/iblm-certification
Food allergies and intolerances in plant-based diets
25th March at 7pm Online on Zoom
Learn the difference between food allergies and intolerances at a free webinar from Plant Based Health Professionals UK with registered dietitian Rosie Martin.
Afternoon Tea with Docs
Every Sunday at 5pm Online on Zoom
Join Dr Linda Mizun and Dr Erica Lin every Sunday for relaxed and educational health and lifestyle medicine discussion aimed at health professionals and the general public. This month's session are focusing on women's health including cervical cancer, infertility, endometriosis, while April's meetings will be looking at autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disorders and arthritis.
Stress Management Trainer Course
Saturday, May 1 2021 Online
One-day training course for healthcare professionals delivered by consultant psychiatrist Dr Sarmila Sinha from Mental Health Online Training. The course is aimed at those wanting to take the lead in providing stress management support, training and supervision in their organisations.
The Future of Healthcare is Lifestyle Medicine
Until July 31st 2021 Online
This digital modular course provided by online CPD provider Inspired Medics is aimed at GPs looking to use lifestyle medicine in their consultations with patients.
Lifestyle Medicine in Clinical Practice
Online
Another course from Inspired Medics aimed at NHS clinicians looking to practice evidence-based Lifestyle Medicine to support patients with chronic conditions.
Briefing: the role of primary care networks in mental health support
A briefing by the NHS Confederation has examined the importance of partnership working by Primary Care Networks to support people's mental health Read more
Supporting the mental health of NHS staff
The BMA and mental health charity MIND have joined forces to produce a guide for NHS leaders to reducing mental health stigma and creating mentally healthy cultures. Read more
Managing a healthy weight in adult secure services
The NHS has produced guidance for commissioners, providers of adult secure services, service users and their families and carers on managing a healthy weight Read more
PHE guidance on preventing ill health and promoting wellbeing
Guidance to help health professionals prevent ill health and promote wellbeing of individuals in inclusion health groups has been produced by Public Health England Read more
