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Welcome member
BSLM sends its sincere condolences over the death of HRH Elizabeth II, and celebrates a life of service well lived.
We are thankful, however, that the conference will go ahead uninterrupted, and it is likely that there may be some transport disruption, as I have already found with the cancellation of my train from Edinburgh, so please do plan ahead, with a Plan B wherever possible!
Due to the conference taking place over the next week, please expect delayed responses through the office email and phone. The BSLM team will also be unavailable the following Monday & Tuesday (26th-27th) to take a well-earned break after the conference. Thank you in advance for your patience!
I hope to meet as many of you as possible at conference this year, and hope you have an enjoyable experience at a world class venue, befitting the quality of our speaker line up.
Dr Fraser Quin, BSLM Executive Director
In this month's Newsletter...
Headline News
- Learning Academy Microbiome course launch
Lifestyle Medicine in Focus:
- Diet Matters in our Fight Against Covid-19
- The Wonders of Group Singing
- Patagonia's founder isn't selling his Company - he's donating it
- I'm a psychologist - and I believe we've been told devastating lies about mental health
- Meeting the Challenge of Lifestyle Behavioural Change
- 3 Examine.com Study Summaries
BSLM News
- BSLM and Holland & Barrett collaboration
- 2022 Lifestyle Medicine Certification Deadline Approaching
- Yorkshire Regional Event last month
Upcoming Events
- September Monthly Webinar Cancelled
- Promoting Physical Activity and Lifestyle through the Active Practice Charter
- Best Practice shows: Diabetes and Respiratory Care
BSLM 2022
- Gala Dinner Tickets - Limited Number Remaining
Opportunities & Courses
- Meliora Medical Group Job Opportunities
- Review of The Pain Free Mind Set by Deepak Ravindran (20% Member Discount)
- Regional BSLM Roles Available
- And more...
NHS Weekly Newsletter
- The latest from the NHS Weekly Blogs
HEADLINE NEWS
The Gut Microbiome for Clinicians - Course Launch
We are so excited to bring to you our new Learning Academy Course, which provides cutting-edge scientific insight into a rapidly rising field within Lifestyle Medicine.
The Gut Microbiome for Clinicians course has been in development for a significant period of time, ensuring we provide healthcare professionals with industry-leading standards of Lifestyle Medicine education.
Exploring the Gut Microbiome, this course features:
8 Comprehensive modules
Flexible online learning patterns
Practical education applicable to your work
Interactive & engaging content
By undertaking this course, you are gaining the skills to enhance your career within Lifestyle Medicine. This course and its extensive insight into Gut Microbiome science takes your knowledge to a new level, setting you up for success in a healthcare field that is experiencing a huge increase in research and mainstream interest.
BSLM members also get a 10% discount on the full price (automatically applied at checkout).
What is the Gut Microbiome?
Microbiome science is an extraordinary and exhilarating field of study, but it is also very dynamic and rapidly changing. In truth, it can get mind-bogglingly complex at times. 95% of your body's microorganisms reside in the gut. That's 100 trillion microbes! There are more microbes in the human body than there are number of stars in the Milky Way.
Driven by technological advances, microbiome research has exploded in the last decade and using the 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine, it can be modified.
Course writers Dr Sheena Fraser and Dr Siobhan McCormack, sat down last month to discuss just what the gut microbiome is.
BSLM Members can also access a presentation from Professor Tim Spector last year at BSLM 2022, talking about 'Personalised Nutrition & Microbes (Through the Pandemic & Beyond)'.
View the presentation here
LIFESTYLE MEDICINE IN FOCUS
Diet Matters in our Fight Against Covid-19
By Dr Sheena Fraser
We are now living with Covid 19 and despite most of us having had the vaccine we are picking up the virus frequently. Most of us will throw off symptoms within a few days but some individuals will still have more severe symptoms, may even require hospital admission or develop long covid.
For the last 3 years I have been researching the gut microbiome and have come across clues as to why this should happen. Studies of patients with severe covid infections and those with long covid have revealed that a dysbiotic GM is common to these patients and the severity of their infection correlates with the severity of their dysbiosis.
In particular, a reduction in certain beneficial bacteria Eg F.Prausnitzii, Eubacterium Rectale and several Bifidobacterium species has been noted. All of these bacteria are seen in greater numbers in people with healthy and more plant based diets and populations are diminished in those with western diets. These bacteria play important roles in our immune system and in the production of short chain fatty acids – key agents in improving our health.
Alzheimers is Preventable
Food for the Brain Foundation have released a blog detailing the preventable nature of Alzheimers using lifestyle measures.
Here we are, looking forward into the abyss of declining physical and mental health, with life expectancy falling, incidence of cancer, diabetes, obesity and Alzheimer’s and mental illness rising. No telescope is needed to know why and how to reverse this worrying trend.
The science already exists. The solution is even in the stores. That is health food stores. We already know how to eliminate the vast majority of people’s unnecessary suffering through optimum nutrition, at a fraction of the cost.
The Wonders of Group Singing
Akshay Bhanshaly, a member of the BSLM Social Prescribing Special Interest Group, explores the health benefits group singing can bring.
Social prescribing offers unique opportunities to deliver personalised care by taking a holistic approach to an individual’s health and wellbeing.
Patients are often referred to voluntary and community groups, facilitated by social prescribing link workers within primary care. An example of which includes singing groups and choirs.
Patagonia's founder isn't selling his company - he's donating it
There seems to be a developing paradigm shift within capitalism, with the news that the owners of the multi-billion dollar Patagonia outdoor clothing company has been given to charity.
The charity will run the company and all profits will go to climate change projects and campaigning. What an incredible development, and I am sure there are companies in the UK and beyond that would love to support Lifestyle Medicine and Public Health!
Dr Fraser Quin, BSLM Executive Director
I'm a psychologist - and I believe we've been told devastating lies about mental health
We are living, we’re told, through a “mental health crisis”. Mental health services cannot cope with the explosion of demand over the past two years: 1.6 million people are on waiting lists, while another 8 million need help but can’t even get on these lists. Even children are showing up at A&E in despair, wanting to die.
But there is another way to see this crisis – one that doesn’t place it firmly in the realm of the medical system. Doesn’t it make sense that so many of us are suffering? Of course it does: we are living in a traumatising and uncertain world.
Meeting the Challenge of Lifestyle Behavioural Change
Lifestyle medicine and its potential to influence behaviour change is critical to the sustainability of public health services but lifestyle behavioural change is not easy or trivial. This article shares some experience and thoughts on how gamification and enabling technologies can make a substantial contribution to the future health and wellbeing of all people whatever their socio-economic circumstances.
Gamification can be described as “the use of games psychology and mechanics to influence behaviours and outcomes”. Gamification is part of everyday life and plays an important role not only in influencing behaviour but also in our learning and development.
Examine Release Study Summaries
There are several study summaries through Examine that explore the impact of nature on the health of people. These 3 studies are linked below.
The positive impacts of forest bathing
Reconnect with nature to reduce stress and blood pressure
If the grass is greener and the air is cleaner, will children have a less stressed demeanour?
LATEST NEWS AT BSLM
New Holland and Barrett Partnership
As BSLM matures in terms of structure, governance, outreach and scope of operation, the greatest challenge is how we continue to grow as an organisation, whilst adhering to our aims and objectives, vision and mission. To that end the Board, staff and Presidents, will be meeting in Edinburgh in January to review business strategy, and agree the way forward for the coming few years. This will also be the first time the Board have sat around a table in person, which is very exciting. One of our recent engagements is with Holland and Barrett.
Holland and Barrett have sought the advice and support of BSLM for two main work streams, thus recognising BSLM as the preeminent Lifestyle Medicine organisation in the UK and Europe. The decision to proceed with this relationship was taken at Board level, and is an example of a maturing organisation tackling potentially thorny issues with new partners. This allows BSLM to directly influence from within, rather than to shout from outside.
What this means in practice is that BSLM will be working in collaboration with Holland and Barrett’s education division, to write Lifestyle Medicine Courses for staff at all levels. Holland and Barrett are introducing a new Wellbeing apprenticeship programme across their stores, together with a Wellbeing Champion role, and have asked BSLM to contribute significantly to this course, so that it represents the fundamentals of lifestyle Medicine. Indeed after discussions with the BSLM team, Holland and Barrett are adopting Lifestyle Medicine’s 6 Pillars into their education offerings.
This is an opportunity for BSLM to support a large corporation in attempting to ensure that clear advice around products is given to customers and staff alike. It is also an opportunity for BSLM to upskill Holland and Barrett’s workforce, to improve health and wellbeing at an organisational level.
As a charity, we also have a clear remit to speak directly to the public. This is an opportunity, via Holland and Barrett’s multiple high street outlets, to reach a group that may or may not routinely engage with health professionals within the NHS. By supporting Holland and Barrett’s retail staff to give advice and support based on science and sound evidence, we can ensure that clear messaging is given around the health benefits of Lifestyle choices or otherwise.
Naturally a degree of client confidentiality remains, but should you require further information, please don’t hesitate to contact Fraser Quin directly at fraser.quin@bslm.org.uk .
2022 Lifestyle Medicine Certification Deadline - 30th September
Applications for the IBLM & BSLM Certification for 2022 are open until 30th September. Certification demonstrates your commitment to, and expertise in, Lifestyle Medicine, augmenting your clinical or public health practice, with a solid grounding in preventing, managing and reversing chronic and lifestyle-related disease. Please note pre-requisites required to sit this years end.
Yorkshire Regional Event held last month
It was great to see Dr Varun Anand last month holding a free physical activity Lifestyle Medicine session in Yorkshire. This in-person session was held alongside an online session with a wider reach, delivering tailored, peer to peer training sessions to groups of NHS healthcare professionals (HCPs), trainees and students.
UPCOMING BSLM EVENTS
September Monthly Webinar Cancelled
Due to our annual conference taking place this month, there will be no monthly webinar taking place.
To fill the void, why not catch up with some of the previous webinars we have had over previous months (BSLM members only). We have a great selection of future webinars lined up ... a reminder to please get in touch if there are any specific topics you would like us to cover, or if you're keen on contributing.
Promoting Physical Activity and Lifestyle through the Active Practice Charter
Wednesday 21st September | 11am - 1pm
BSLM will be launching our campaign linked to National Fitness Day facilitated by Dr DImple Devadas - please keep an eye on your mailbox for further info and how you can participate. In the interim, please additional webinar below
This event is open to ALL working in Primary Care & the Lifestyle & physical activity sector and is FREE to attend.
Wednesday 21 September is National Fitness Day and the RCGP Physical Activity and Lifestyle Team are hosting a webinar to which you are cordially invited!
From 11:00 – 13:00 you will be treated to a series of inspirational speakers, culminating in the ProActive Practice awards to practice teams who have taken the Active Practice principles to heart, and ran with them! Above all this will be a celebration of all our wonderful Active Practices and the network we have created together since the launch of this initiative three years ago.
If your practice team is looking for inspiration before signing up to the Active Practice Charter, come along to hear how becoming an Active Practice can transform patient and staff wellbeing. We would love as many of our Active Partnership and Public Health colleagues to join us too.
Confirmed speakers include:
Rachel Morris MBE - Paralympic gold medallist in cycling and rowing
Chrissie Wellington OBE - Global Head of Health and Wellbeing, parkrun
They will be joined by speakers from the national Active Partnerships team; Sport England; the We Are Undefeatable campaign team; and of course, our Active Practices!
DWELL Project Virtual Conference
13 October 2022 | Online
DWELL - a holistic approach to type 2 diabetes providing tailored support, motivating each person to make long- term lifestyle changes to manage their condition successfully.
The conference will present the DWELL evaluation results and talk about what's next.
Diabetes Professional Care
16 - 17 November 2022 | Olympia London
Bringing together 5000+ healthcare professionals, Diabetes Professional Care is the UK's leading event for those involved in the prevention, treatment and management of diabetes and its related conditions.
This must-attend event meets a real and increasing need for accessible education, arming you with the skills and knowledge to provide better care for people living with diabetes.
BSLM will be attending this event, so come on down and meet us there!
Respiratory Professional Care
12 - 13 October 2022 | NEC Birmingham
Respiratory Professional Care will be returning for its third year, face-to-face for the entire respiratory community to meet, learn, network, gain CPD accreditation, enhance skills, share best practice, and plan for the future.
Join your peers at the leading event for the respiratory community.
BSLM 2022
As we charge towards 22nd September, it is great to be able to announce that we are going to be full! That’s 700 delegates at the Stadium plus an additional 200 or so attending virtually (as at time of writing). When you add in speakers, the BSLM staff team and sponsors, there will be over 800 on site each day. We're sure it will be a fabulous event with great opportunities to hear some world class speakers, to network with fellow members and delegates, and engage with our sponsors and partners.
Limited Gala Dinner Tickets Remaining!
There are a limited numbers of tickets remaining for one of our headline conference events, the Gala Dinner, filled with networking, drinks, music and more. If you have not yet got your ticket, we recommend you do so quickly as the sales will be stopped shortly.
OPPORTUNITIES & COURSES
Meliora Medical Group Job Opportunities
BSLM are excited to be able to connect our Members with this exciting opportunity to join the Meliora Medical Group. Less than 2 years old, they have already become the UK’s leading medical services provider for the education sector with their services being used by over 60 of the UK’s leading schools & clubs, with ambitious aims to grow rapidly.
They are currently looking for
Review of The Pain Free Mind Set by Deepak Ravindran (20% Member Discount)
With his Amazon best seller, NHS pain consultant and BSLM Diplomate 2020, Dr Ravindran brings his 20 years of experience to offer an effective set of techniques that will transform your understanding of pain.
There is a way out from chronic pain and it starts with your mindset. BSLM members can avail of a 20% discount and a signed copy when they buy the book at the conference on 22nd September.
Regional Lead Roles available within BSLM
If you’re interested in joining the BSLM regional team, please get in touch with office@bslm.org.uk … more information on the role below, further details available on request.
BSLM Regional Leads - Vacancies exist for:
- East Midlands
- East of England
- North East England & Yorkshire
- Wales
The British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM) has set up Regional Leads (RL’s) who have agreed to take on responsibility for leading and coordinating the organisation’s activities in their region of the UK. They are expected to agree with the vision and mission of BSLM and work to further the organisation’s aims and objectives.
1: Responsibilities
Key responsibilities for the role include that RL’s should:
- act as the local advocate for BSLM, to promote lifestyle medicine, the Charity, and engagement locally
- lead and connect with BSLM members in their geographic area
- build and maintain sound working relationships with local members
- lead regional meetings and serve as an active participant in national meetings
- mentor and provide signposting to training and initiatives for local members
- to actively promote the BSLM Learning Academy, including the Diploma and any future courses
- act as the regional liaison member for the BSLM office staff
Regional Leads should ideally be IBLM/BSLM Certified (or working towards) and be able to hold at least one in-person and one online meeting/event per year in their region.
30% BSLM Member Offer
HealthyLongevity.guide is building a platform for progressive healthcare professionals eager to learn more about the booming world of longevity, healthy ageing and healthy lifespan extension, and gerontology sciences. Become a longevity expert and advance your career with a 30% discount for BSLM members.
Walk with a Doc - Lead Doctors needed
We are looking for more GPs and health professionals to lead Walk with a Doc the Wirr, taking place each Tuesday - 10:30 AM and 2nd Saturday of month - 11.30. This doctor-led group is a fun and safe place to go for a walk, learn about health, and meet new friends. The event is FREE and all ages are welcome! Get in touch with Dr Sue Smith for more information (sue@drsuesmith.co.uk)
Health Hubble Partnership
HealthHubble is the UK’s leading and award-winning health and wellbeing platform, bringing diverse choices and services directly to people at the click of a button.
HealthHubble is proud to host over 23,000 verified doctors, therapists, and healthcare and wellness professionals across a broad spectrum of disciplines.
With our founder, Dr Jacqualine Seckley, having had a long career as a frontline NHS doctor, we have strong roots within the healthcare sector, so we understand the needs of people looking for healthcare services.
It is our honour to work with an growing community of authors, who are all experts within their own field, to provide a Knowledge Hub of articles designed to both educate and guide people with care, integrity, and compassion.
One year's UKHCA affiliate membership FREE
The UK Health Coaches Association are offering FIVE IPM Conference participants an opportunity to win ONE YEAR’S FREE Affiliate Membership – worth £120!
The UKHCA are also offering FIVE eligible Conference participants an opportunity to submit an application for our NEW Portfolio Route to UKHCA Full Membership – TOTALLY COST FREE!
On successful completion of the application process, you will enjoy a 50% DISCOUNT on fees for the first year of membership.
You can find out more information and enter on their website through the button below.
50% discount for International Academy of Nutrition
The International Academy of Nutrition Educators is a membership scheme for professionals interested in developing and delivering high quality nutrition education and evaluating its impact, particularly on healthcare practice.
As a member of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine, you are entitled to 50% discount on your membership fee. Please add the code B2Y0C5Z2 during your application to avail.
NHS NETWORKS
How can our primary care estate help with addressing inequalities?
The UK is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, the fifth largest economy overall in terms of GDP. But this wealth is primarily held by a small number of wealthy individuals, while more than 1 in 5 of the population are in poverty and experiencing significant and increasing health inequalities – a situation exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19.
Can primary care rescue our failing NHS?
A big ask and funds are certainly needed up front as following the last few years of neglect, there is a serious service wide workforce crisis. Workforce shortages apply equally to primary care despite the previous secretary of state frequently berating GPs.
Email us - office@bslm.org.uk
