BSLM Newsletter August 2022
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Dear member,
You are receiving this email as you are signed up to receive healthcare communications. Welcome to the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine, a healthcare charity with the goal of transforming lives through the reduction of chronic illness through evidence-based lifestyle measures.
Enjoy this month's edition of our newsletter, and we hope you will join us on this transformative Lifestyle Medicine journey!
There is so much to look forward to with our annual Lifestyle Medicine conference just around the corner. We are so excited to see you all in London to celebrate all things Lifestyle Medicine. With so much world-class insight being showcased, it is certain to be our best annual conference yet, and yet another one to remember!
Please also note that there will be no monthly webinar in September as we'll already be on site for the conference so looking forward to engaging with everyone there in person.
Tickets are now only available on a limited basis, so make sure you purchase your tickets soon! If you know you cannot make it in person but want don't want to miss any of BSLM 2022, you can also purchase virtual tickets for both on-demand and live streaming conference services.
If you're already joining us at BSLM2022 and thinking of completing the IBLM/BSLM Certification, deadline for this years exam sign up is 30th September and the conference meets the pre-requisite of 10hrs in person learning.
See you there and we hope you enjoy August's newsletter!
Awe Walks and Wellbeing
By Anjum Tariq
Well-being has never been more important than in the current climate of changing covid waves, cost of living crisis, pandemic fatigue and burnout. Well-being has become the focus of my consultations with patients, but it has also drawn attention to my responsibility to maintain my own well- being through self-care interventions that nurture a positive mindset.
While exploring these interventions, I have realised how much I enjoy walking. Navigating through different locations and landscapes; connecting with the surroundings, appreciating their beauty and feeling grateful for being a part of the bigger picture. Each walk has inspired a feeling of awe that has had a positive impact on my well-being.
As a student of philosophy, an enquiry into human flourishing was important as was my curiosity for awe, awe walking and its impact on well-being. This curiosity guided me to the six honest serving men, they have taught me all I knew, their names are what and why and when and how and where and who?
IN THIS MONTH'S NEWSLETTER
- Executive Director Dr Fraser Quin with a message leading up to BSLM 2022
- Catch up on the latest Lifestyle Medicine news, as well as the NHS Weekly Network news
- BSLM Regional Team roles still available
- BSLM Partners offer large membership discounts
- Free online physical activity training with Varun Anand
- Complete a member survey to have your say on BSLM
- Latest job opportunities in Lifestyle Medicine
- Get your #1change merchandise for the conference!
A Message from Dr Fraser Quin
As we get closer to the conference in London this September, it’s been tremendously exciting to get to know some of the speakers and to appreciate the work they are doing in the Lifestyle Medicine field locally.
As you know, the theme of the conference is around community engagement, and we are delighted that our hosts, Tottenham Hotspur, have introduced us to their Foundation CEO Sarah Ebanja, who will be talking to us about the role of the Foundation, community engagement, and working in partnership with the NHS.
There is no doubt that socio-economic, education, and postcode factors, all contribute to levels of engagement with the NHS within and between communities. There will also be a discussion around sugar “taxes” or levies, and how effective they might be in changing behaviour in consumption and production of high sugar foods. There is an excellent session, also, on Food Policy and Health, with an opportunity for members to engage with Tim Spector, Jo Bibby, Mark Littlewood and Sumantra Ray on the impact of such policy measures as taxation.
The conference programme this year once again provides a diverse range of views and approaches to Lifestyle Medicine, with some thought provoking and potentially challenging presentations on offer. We are all looking forward to welcoming you to THS in September, and if last year in Edinburgh is anything to go by, it will be a vibrant and inclusive event for members, those new to Lifestyle Medicine, and friends old and new.
See you in September.
Fraser
Dr Fraser Quin, BSLM Executive Director
Lifestyle Medicine Latest News
Why too much medical treatment is causing more harm than good
Much of medicine doesn’t do what it is supposed to do: improve health. That is the view of orthopaedic surgeon, Ian Harris.
He believes too many drugs are being prescribed, too much surgery is being performed, and there are too many unhelpful tests, scans, and overdiagnosis.
The 'business' of medicine, Ian says, is taking precedence over what the science tells us.
We should go back to the first principles of the Hippocratic oath and ‘first, do no harm’.
Listen to the full podcast here.
Catch up on the latest Bulletin by RCOA
The Royal College of Anaesthetists have released their latest edition of their Bulletin. Editor Dr Helgi Johannsson previews the publication...
"The last two years have led to an enormous change in the way we train and work, as shown by many of the articles in this issue. The mountain of elective work backlog, on top of poor NHS capacity pre-COVID has meant a greater use of the independent sector, and I’m very glad that includes training, not just picking off the straightforward cases to be done by consultants only, as it was traditionally done"
Read here.
Plant-Based Promises
Giles Yeo learns how to make a Thai green curry with Meera Sodha. This is a recipe without meat or prawns but with tofu and lots of vegetables. If we need to eat less meat and dairy to help prevent global warming- what difference will altering our diets make to our health.
For a long time now people have been urged to cut down on red meat and processed foods but if you have been eating them all your life it takes an effort to develop new habits. Plant based products that can replace for example dairy milks, cheeses, sausages, burgers and meat based dishes such as lasagne can be helpful in making this transition but are they healthier?
Catch the full podcast by BBC Sounds here.
Mediterranean Diet named Best, Healthiest and more in 2022!
The 2022 US News Best Diet rating has once again confirmed the superior health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet, ranking the extra virgin olive oil-rich eating regime #1 in the Best Diets Overall category. Awarded a score of 4.2/5, the Mediterranean Diet was also rated #1 in an additional five out of the eight categories.
Read more here.
BSLM Regional Team roles available
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.
Health Hubble offer 40% discount on Membership
HealthHubble is an award-winning health and wellbeing platform, bringing choice and diversity of services directly to you at the click of a button and is proud to host over 23,000 clinics, therapists, and healthcare professionals across a broad spectrum of disciplines from Physiotherapy to Dentistry, Doctors, Counsellors, and Psychologists.
BSLM Members wanting to join HealthHubble can get 40% off any premium membership by using the code “BSLMPrem40” at the checkout
30% BSLM Member offer with Healthy Longevity.Guide
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.
Free Online Physical Activity Training
Wed 31st Aug | 7pm - 8.30pm | Free & Online
Join this free online training session on physical activity for the prevention and management of long-term conditions, held by Dr Varun Anand. A national network of expert Physical Activity Clinical Champions is delivering FREE tailored, peer to peer online training sessions to groups of NHS healthcare professionals (HCPs), trainees and students.
MAN v FAT Challenge
MAN v FAT is working with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine to pilot our fantastic digital weight loss programme. MAN v FAT Challenge is a funded 14 week digital weight loss programme just for men.
The MAN v FAT Challenge is a flexible, supporting male weight loss programme, where you can participate at a time and at a place that suits you!
BSLM Members are eligible for one free 14 week season of MAN v FAT Challenge for them or as a referral for a patient.
BSLM Members can use code BSLM when signing up or can use this voucher.
You can also find out more information about the course and how to refer a patient here.
Member Survey - We'd love your feedback
Member experience is of the utmost experience to us at BSLM and we'd love to hear a little more from you. As we grow, your feedback, opinions and suggestions help us shape our service and strategy. Please spare a few minutes to complete the questions below. We really appreciate your time.
Job Opportunity: Health & Lifestyle Practitioner
We are currently looking to recruit an enthusiastic and motivated Health and Lifestyle Practitioner to join the ‘Be Well’ Health and Wellbeing Team within primary care. This will be a central role within the team providing support to both practice staff and patients within all GP practices across the entire Nexus PCN.
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Learning Academy Free Members Course:
This year, the BSLM launched our very own Learning Academy, a learning management system designed to provide immersive learning for lifestyle medicine.
This launch is just the beginning, as there are huge plans to expand and improve the content that the Learning Academy offers. This starts with you, as we are offering all BSLM Members the first course "Lifestyle Medicine: An Overview" for free. We would love for all of you to engage in this course and provide your initial feedback, which will inform future course development as we define the “look” of BSLM courses.
You should have received an email from us detailing how to access this free course, so check your inbox. If you have not received it, email office@bslm.org.uk under the subject line "Learning Academy Overview Course" and we will help you access it.
The Learning Academy is a significant step forward for BSLM and forms a key element of our future growth and development plans. It also establishes BSLM as a major player in the Health Education field, and is a sign that BSLM as an aspirational organisation continues to grow and develop its influence and outlook.
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.
Innovation in general practice and regulation
In collaboration with Care Quality Commission (CQC), Yorkshire & Humber Academic Health Science Network (AHSN) has published findings from a research into how GP practices use innovative methods to address local health inequalities. The work will inform CQC’s developing regulatory approach so that it can better recognise and encourage innovation...
Cardiovascular prevention recovery intentions
For this blog Catherine Bates from NHS England has shared an item on cardiovascular disease – an area where the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact...
Show your passion and spread the word with #1Change Merchandise!
Check out our range of #1Change merchandise we have on offer and support our organisation in reframing healthcare! The hoodies, t-shirts and vests available in store are perfect to show off at BSLM2022
