April showers have definitely been in play 🌧️ however that hasn't stopped us! Take a peek to see our April lifestyle medicine updates!
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April 2024
Welcome member to
Your home of lifestyle medicine news
April has arrived, alongside some warmer days, longer nights and a real taste of spring/summer!
We hope you've had another fantastic month, we definitely have.
We have another jam-packed newsletter for you this month with all the latest Lifestyle Medicine updates.
Below is your guide to all things Lifestyle Medicine this month, insight into March at BSLM and also what's in store come in May.
In this month's Newsletter...
HEADLINE NEWS
What does good Governance look like at BSLM?
A Letter from our Executive Director
BSLM is a charity (Registered Charity No SC046920) regulated by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), with day-to-day operations falling to the Executive Team (ET). The ET are in turn scrutinised by a Board of Trustees (sometimes known as Directors) made up of BSLM members. The charity is obliged to have an AGM once every twelve months where the previous year’s performance, with a view of upcoming activities in the next financial year, is presented to the membership.
The BSLM Board meets every two months, with ad hoc business meetings in between as required. Currently, there are seven Trustees on the BSLM Board, with provision for a total of twelve, ten of which should be from the membership, and two “co-opted” Trustees (who bring additional expertise to the Board, e.g. lived experience, legal, financial or marketing).
BSLM also has two honorary roles; President and Vice President, who offer advice on strategy, governance and clinical advice. Theirs is an advisory role in support of both the Board and ET. To offer further external advice and support, BSLM has created an Advisory Board of senior medical experts, who can comment on BSLM’s charitable objectives, business strategy, advocacy and lobbying.
BSLM is also in the process of creating a Clinical Forum to ensure that support is available to the Board and ET, with advice around the policy, science, evidence and application of Lifestyle Medicine. The Clinical Forum is an advisory group only and has no decision-making power, this falling to the Board of Trustees and ET.
The BSLM constitution is available on our website, BSLM - Transforming Healthcare Through Lifestyle Medicine. It is this document that guides both the ET and the Board of Trustees, to ensure that all BSLM activity meets the Vision, Mission and Values of the charity.
Line management responsibility for all staff falls to the Executive Director (ED), with line management of the ED falling to the Chair on behalf of the Board of Trustees. The ED reports to the Board every session on staff matters, current business focus, cash flow and management accounts, education, membership and future priorities.
BSLM is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation and as such is subject to the statutory requirements laid down by OSCR, thus, an Annual Report and Audited Accounts must be submitted annually to ensure that the Charity is operating within its constitutional remit and legal obligations. All of these documents receive Board approval before submission to OSCR, with further checks and measures provided by the Auditor (an independent Accountancy Company required by law to ensure that BSLM operate within its constitutional framework and is a “going concern” financially). The Auditor reports to the Board before Accounts submission to confirm whether the ET is indeed running the charity correctly, or not.
What is WLMES Ltd?
The World Lifestyle Medicine Education and Servies Ltd (WLMES) is a wholly owned subsidiary of BSLM. It is a company Ltd by Guarantee (SC768152), with BSLM as its only shareholder. It was created to allow for activities, such as overseas trading of education services, which are not allowed by OSCR. This means that BSLM can enter into agreements with countries throughout the world around products such as the Lifestyle Medicine Core Accreditation course, or other CPD courses such as the Gut Microbiome and Pain Management courses. Importantly, all profits from this organisation go back to BSLM to fund projects with members and the public, as well as support general charity overheads. No profits are retained within WLMES, and no directors of WLMES benefit financially from it.
WLMES is known as an “arms-length” company and must operate separately from BSLM to ensure that it complies with Tax and VAT legislation. However, WLMES is also governed by the BSLM constitution and must be aligned to its Mission, Vision and Values. WLMES has its own Board of Directors made up of the BSLM ET, with the BSLM Executive Director as its Managing Director, but importantly, with two members of the BSLM Board acting as Directors, to ensure the appropriate checks and measures are in place. These Directors report to the BSLM Board at each Board meeting. WLMES is also in the process of advertising for a Non-Executive Director (NED), to bring international business expertise to the Board.
International Representation
BSLM currently holds the Presidency of the European Lifestyle Medicine Council (ELMC) and sits on the Executive Committee of the World Lifestyle Medicine Organisation (WLMO). The BSLM Board has authorised the BSLM ET to provide administrative support for both organisations, with BSLM’s ED also undertaking this role for both organisations. Each organisation is a separately registered body, with ELMC being a Charity registered in Scotland, and WLMO being an Association registered under Swiss Civil Law in Geneva. These organisations operate independently of the BSLM Board.
All of this information can be found on the BSLM website, but I would be delighted to answer any questions or concerns the membership might have about Governance at BSLM.
All of this information can be found on the BSLM website, but I would be delighted to answer any questions or concerns the membership might have about Governance at BSLM.
Dr Fraser Quin
Executive Director
European Lifestyle Medicine Symposium
We have some exciting updates!
As you're most likely aware, we, being the Spanish Institute of Lifestyle Medicine and ourselves, were both proud to present on Wednesday this week the first ever European Lifestyle Medicine Symposium.
Some further updates on this fantastic unified event are below:
Mediterranean Diet and Lifestyle Medicine Course
All of those who sign up will be enrolled into the course two weeks prior to the Symposium to allow them time to enjoy the course before experiencing the joys of the Mediterranean in person.
In the course we will describe the main characteristics and health benefits of a Mediterranean diet, and has 1hr CPD.
Our Venue's Delegate Discount
For a discounted rate on your room at our venue, Hotel Spa Porta Mariz, please get in touch with us post purchasing your tickets, we will provide you with our discount code and they will provide your exclusive discounted rate!
There are also a lot of other great hotels close by to suit different budgets though and only a short walk away!
We've been so excited to show you what we've been working on behind the scenes and can't wait to share more details as the time draws closer.
We can't wait to see you there, make sure to grab your ticket! If you have any queries about the event, do contact us through the button below on office@bslm.org.uk
BSLM 2024's famous Gala Dinner
Get your ticket for what is always one of the most anticipated parts of the entire conference – the Gala Dinner! If you've been before, you'll know it's not one to miss!
Join us to unwind and connect in a room full of likeminded individuals, the perfect event for networking Lifestyle Medics.
With healthy food, entertainment, music, Fellowship Ceremony & dancing the night away, we hope it’s an event to remember, creating unforgettable memories in the process and keep us moving throughout at at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead.
Tickets are limited, will be on first come basis, so book now to avoid disappointment, as last year's completely sold out!
We’ve partnered up with the Newcastle Gateshead Convention Bureau and snapped up some special room rates throughout the city to make sure for your stay is as convenient as possible during the conference.
LIFESTYLE MEDICINE IN FOCUS
Some noteworthy Lifestyle Medicine features within the recent news in Britain.
BMJ: "The UK now has one of the worst health profiles of any high income country"
Although this article from the BMJ is a bleak start to our newsletter, it provides an extremely important picture of how things look for us as a country today.
Lifestyle Medicine teaches that Public Health interventions are just as important as Individual support for lifestyle changes in consultations, but Public Health is often more effective and equitable at scale.
It is, of course, a great concern that our public health bodies are underfunded and lack the influence and power when we need them most.
As a consequence, we all need to be talking about and investing in supporting people to lead healthy lives!
The RCGP “GP with Extended Role in Lifestyle Medicine” Framework Released
One of the biggies for us in April was the launch of Royal College of General Practitioners GP with extended role in Lifestyle Medicine framework launched at the start of this month thanks to our Chair, our Vice President and many other notable names involved with BSLM!
This collaborative project with the RCGP is a significant milestone in the practice of the discipline of Lifestyle Medicine and for the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.
April 22nd was Earth Day!
Why is Earth Day so important, not only in general, but to Lifestyle Medicine in particular?
For Lifestyle Medicine, the planet and environment plays a key role in the 6 pillars as part of the Mental Wellbeing pillar, and facilitating all the other pillars too. It's crucial to us as human beings in all ways, from getting out and immersing ourselves in nature, to access to green spaces, the positive impact of environment on us physically and mentally is endless and that's why we need to have the conversation about sustainability & creating a healthier planet for all!
Our Newest BSLM Blog
Lifestyle Medicine Journal Article!
Another month another fantastic release in the Lifestyle Medicine Journal!
On the 3rd of April, Hamaad Ahmad Khan's article on The clinical gaze: Its power and purpose in determining the patient experience and the value of interpersonal and technical skills in medicine was released.
Haven't seen it yet? Take a look below!
April saw another blog piece too!
A wonderful piece on physical activity is not offered as part of cancer care in the UK - and how that should change.
A massive thanks to Beth Brown for writing this piece for us!
Other Lifestyle Medicine News and Events
Flaxseed for breakfast? This listen is for you!
If you're looking for a listen while you eat your flaxseed on your breakfast, look no further!
Michael Mosley gets his flax fix, as he finds out how flax seeds, also known as linseeds, can protect your heart, reduce your blood sugar levels, and might even keep your skin feeling smooth and hydrated!
Him and Dr Grant Pierce discuss health benefits from flaxseed intake - did you know can reducing your chance of a heart attack or stroke by a remarkable 50%?! Give it a listen below!
LATEST NEWS AT BSLM
What's happening in Our Communities?
Our monthly Livewell Update
With Rachel Cox
Care in the Community
This month our Live Well East Lothian participants welcomed Physiotherapy Student, David, from Queen Margaret University to shadow a class. He wanted to see an example of care being delivered in the community after hearing a physio on his placement refer a patient into our classes.
Live Well East Lothian is a trusted referral pathway for our local GPs and healthcare professionals, approved on the NHS safe senders list for that purpose. The classes can offer some support to the local system, providing doctors and patients another option when resources are stretched and waiting lists are long.
It is great to be engaging with the next generation of healthcare professionals and get them on board with lifestyle medicine through initiatives such as Live Well East Lothian. David told us it was a really valuable learning experience and is preparing a presentation about us for his supervisors and peers.
Here’s the Musselburgh class working hard for his visit!
BSLM: Are you attending Peak Health's Conference?
We will be attending Peak Health Conference on the 8th of May - our Transformation Lead Dr Rupa Joshi will be hosting some Lifestyle Medicine Orientated Sessions. Our Chief Finance and Commercial Officer Andrew Howie will also be there, so do keep an eye out for both of them if you're going!
Featured Podcasts
As you'll know we have some fantastic podcasts on our radar. Podcasts are a great way of getting all the latest insights and information on Lifestyle Medicine, and beyond!
Recommended Listening for the Month:
#301 Introducing Food Friends with Anna Mantell
The Business of Healthcare Podcast with Tara Humphrey
"Dive into the heart of community and connection with Tara Humphrey as she welcomes Anna Mantell, the founder and Chief Executive of 'Food Friends', on this week's episode of the Business of Healthcare Podcast. Food Friends is an innovative meal-sharing initiative designed to combat loneliness by connecting members of the community through the sharing of home-cooked meals, something that Tara herself is also involved in supporting. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a community leader, or simply someone looking to make a difference, this episode will ignite your passion for community service and demonstrate the power of a shared meal to bridge gaps and foster friendships."
Have you listened yet? if you haven't, get inspired and listen below!
Our Podcasts
The Microbiome Medics Newest Release:
Ep.16 - The Gut, Brain and Chronic Pain Part 2 with Dr Deepak Ravindran
The Movement Prescription Podcast Newest Releases:
Ep.20 - Beyond the Barbell: Resistance Training with Dr John Sykes
+ Ep.19 - parkrun. So Much More Than a Run.
Every time one of the podcasts above are released we'll be updating the newsletter so keep an eye out for updates here too for your monthly listening fix!
Introducing MOVE Against Cancer!
We're aligning with the work they do.
We've made connections with MOVE Against Cancer. They're doing great work through their activities, foster a great approach and ethos.
So what is MOVE Against Cancer all about?
We'll let them explain:
"We are thrilled to become an Aligned Organisation with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine. As a charity, we are passionate about physical activity. In fact, MOVE Against Cancer exists because we want to inspire and support people impacted by cancer to live an active and fulfilling life.
The Charity was founded by international athlete Gemma Hillier-Moses in 2016 after her own experience of cancer at the age of 24. We now have three main areas of work: a 1-1 online programme for 13-30 year olds, over ninety 5K Your Way cancer support groups across the UK and Ireland and a resources hub to educate and inspire.
We're really excited about continuing to grow and reach more people impacted by cancer in 2024 and we cannot wait for our Edale Skyline fundraising challenge at the end of August."
We can't wait to hear more from this fantastic community! Don't forget to check out their website or contact for further info.
Overcoming MS: A Fundraising Event
Jonny's Cycle for OMS
We're sure you met Jonny in our March Webinar - we wanted to let you know he's doing a Cycle for Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis.
Jonny has been living with MS for almost 9 years, and wants to prove to himself and the MS community that a completely average 40 year old, living with a chronic neurological condition can challenge themself physically and mentally, and just maybe achieve something a little bit special for an incredible cause.
We're cheering him on, and hope you will be too!
Moving Medicine: They need your Feedback!
Moving Medicine have a Message for you!
"Do you work in healthcare? And do you talk about physical activity with your patients?
Moving Medicine is website and store of online resources to help healthcare professionals promote physical activity. But we love you to help us make it better!
Whether you use these resources or not, we’d appreciate your input in this short 5 minute survey below.
Thanks in advance!"
FEATURED BSLM EVENTS
Head to the dedicated BSLM events page for the full list of upcoming events
Our Monthly Webinar for May is coming soon...
..here's a sneak peek to keep you going!
Join us on the 21st May 2024 @ 7pm
We can't wait to see you there - we'll get all the details circulating soon!
Thanks for joining us in April!
The Webinar for April is available to watch back now on our website for our Members!
BSLM AGM Recording Available
The recording of our Annual General Meeting is now available to view below if you'd like to watch it back in your own time. Thank you to all that were able to attend!
Other Events
Schedule the below in your diary for May & Beyond!
Yakult's Women's Health Event
Humble Health Conference
The Humble Health Conference is about bringing out your best.
Combining talks, workshops and community, it is a gathering of pioneering health professionals, passionate about nurturing our holistic health, performance and potential.
It’s on Thursday 2nd May 2024, from 9am-3pm at Cumberwell Park Gold Club Bradford-on-Avon BA15 2PQ
For the list of activities and speakers please see the programme link below.
No Life Half Lived with Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland
Shifting the balance towards social interventions: why the UN and WHO are calling for mental health reform
Beyond Pills All Party Parliamentary Group
14th May from 11am-12.30pm - On Zoom
An invitation only webinar hosted by the Beyond Pills All Party Parliamentary Group - Information directly from them in our Members and Opportunities Section of this newsletter if you are interested.
The Primary Care Show
Public Health Conference
RCPsych and BSLM Event
NatureMind 2024
Join NatureMind for an all day exploration into latest research & best practice in nature-based social prescribing with workshops, discussions, presentations and demonstrations.
Mind Over Mountains & the University of Central Lancashire invite you to the 3rd national conference on green social prescribing.
'NatureMind' - Friday 7 June 2024 - tickets strictly limited & available to book now.
An all-day conference for practitioners, academics, commissioners, social prescribers, policymakers & all those with an interest in the power of nature & physical activity in supporting mental health.
An exploration into latest research & best practice in nature-based social prescribing; via presentations, workshops, discussion & practical demonstrations, indoors & out.
The conference will identify successes; as well as barriers preventing more widespread provision of nature & activity based approaches to wellbeing. This will contribute to a report on the very latest status in the UK on green social prescribing to drive further change.
Featuring Dr Radha Modgil, National Academy for Social Prescribing, Natural England, The Wildlife Trusts, The Royal College of Psychiatrists, Intelligent Health UK, British Society of Lifestyle Medicine, Anxiety UK, RED January , True North Project, and many more - speaking, panellists, and practical workshop sessions.
Concessionary tickets are available for those who cannot afford the full ticket price - please email naturemind@mindovermountains.org.uk to request a discount code.
See you there!
Reminder: Early Bird Sale Ending!
6-8th June 2024 @ QEII Centre, Westminster, London UK
Integrative & Personalised Medicine Congress 2024
A reminder to all of you that wish to attend, the the deadline to register for early bird rates is on: Friday 3rd May 2024.
Members of the BSLM can register to attend the conference at the discounted 'members rate', see the members section for details. Conference prices start from £149 and workshop & exhibition prices start from just £25 per day.
Learning Academy
It's your Learning Academy!
Have your say and give us valuable feedback!
Are you a Learner with us, or want to be? Have your say!
At BSLM Learning Academy, we are committed to developing courses that reflect your lifestyle medicine learning needs.
Please take a few minutes to let us know what is important to you and help us identify priority courses for the next 12 months!
Thank you for participating, you can access the survey via the link in the button below.
Have you completed our Core Accreditation?
Have you already unlocked the Power of Lifestyle Medicine with the LMCA?
We'd love to hear from you if you have some feedback on the course, and would like to show the world how much of a difference it's made to your career, your outlook, or your life!
NHS NETWORKS
Top News Stories in April
Same day emergency care services
National clinical director for women’s health
Community diagnostic centres
Proposals on health devolution
NHS sustainability reporting commitments
Integrated care systems improving dementia diagnosis
Transparency in health and social care
Email us - office@bslm.org.uk
