BSLM Newsletter October 2021
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Dear member,
How we build resilience to future disease pandemics remains one of the key questions of the post Covid-19 recovery. And if that recovery is to be truly sustainable, BSLM believes lifestyle medicine must be part of the conversation.
This month, and following our annual conference in Edinburgh in September, BSLM is calling on healthcare systems around the world to shift their focus. If we are to achieve our founding objective of "reframing healthcare" then "healthier living" must be our priority as clinicians and healthcare professionals. And the six pillars of lifestyle medicine, along with the wider determinants of health, must be our starting point.
READ MORE - BSLM calls for healthcare systems to shift focus to healthier living
It's been a busy few weeks for our movement since BSLM2021. In addition to our campaign for healthcare systems to focus on healthier living, BSLM has also been joining calls for global action on climate change.
BSLM and the European Lifestyle Medicine Council were among 300 organisations which have signed the 'climate prescription letter' - calling on world leaders ahead of the COP26 summit to deliver on climate action.
Human health and the climate crisis are deeply intertwined and BSLM and ELMC were proud to support the letter which represents the views of more than 45 million healthcare professionals around the world.
BSLM's regional groups have also been busy in recent weeks, planning and running a number of online and real world events. BSLM's Manchester group met in September, while our colleagues in Cornwall also pulled off a brilliant 3rd Kernow BSLM Conference at the end of September. The BSLM team was also in Liverpool this month flying the flag for lifestyle medicine at the annual RCGP conference.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, colleagues are also organising two regional events for November - read on for details.
IN THIS MONTH'S NEWSLETTER
- BSLM welcomes government report on over-prescribing
- BSLM member webinar looks at health inequalities & lifestyle medicine and the NHS plan
- Social prescribing and lifestyle medicine
- BSLM regional events update
- Why do we need lifestyle medicine? Short film featuring clinicians reflections from BSLM2021.
- The BSLM blog: fibre and why it matters in our diet
Our next free member webinar takes place on Tuesday, October 19 and will be looking at two vital lifestyle medicine topics.
Oxford based GP and director of the BSLM Learning Academy, Dr Ellen Fallows will be sharing her insights on health inequalities and lifestyle medicine.
Meanwhile, Dr Angela Goyal, will be making the case for the importance of lifestyle medicine to meeting the NHS's long-term plan.
The webinar starts at 7pm and there will be a chance to put your questions to Ellen and Angela at the end of the session.
BSLM 2021 conference video and photos
Thanks to all the clinicians at BSLM2021 who contributed to the many videos we shot during the conference. We will be sharing these with you on social media in the coming months so please keep an eye on our channels and don't forget to like, subscribe, share and leave a comment! We hope you enjoy the above video on youtube which features a number of our members and speakers talking about "why we need lifestyle medicine".
We've also produced a photo gallery from the conference in Edinburgh for you to enjoy. Please keep sharing your #1change videos with us on social media too!
Please note, conference resources including speaker presentation recordings will be available in the BSLM website members' area from December 1.
Careers in Lifestyle Medicine
Do you want to pursue a career in lifestyle medicine? Have you successfully made the switch to a career in lifestyle medicine and would be happy to share your experiences with others?
BSLM is planning an event looking at careers in lifestyle medicine and would like to hear from you. Tell us what you would like the event to cover - and please get in touch with offers to help out. Please email the office for more information office@bslm.org.uk
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Lifestyle Medicine Latest News
Two regional meetings in Scotland for November
BSLM North East Scotland and BSLM Edinburgh and Lothians have organised two regional events this month.
Find out more about lifestyle medicine and BSLM at the free events which both take place via Zoom ...
November 2 7pm BSLM North East Scotland meeting. Register now
November 23 7.30pm BSLM Edinburgh and Lothians, Fife & Borders meeting. Register now
Contact the BSLM office via office@bslm.org.uk if you would like support to organise a regional BSLM event.
BSLM welcomes government report on over-prescribing
BSLM has welcomed a landmark government report this month into over prescribing in England.
The review, by the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England, has suggested 10% of medicines prescribed could be unnecessary.
Overprescribing represents a “serious problem”, the review concludes, with as many as 110 million medicine prescriptions given to patients each year which are either not beneficial or even potentially harmful.
Read more about BSLM's response to the review
Everything you need to know about fibre - BSLM blog
BSLM member and Glasgow-based GP Dr Sheena Fraser has written an insightful blog for us on the role of fibre in our diet.
Fibre plays a key role in controlling blood sugar, cholesterol, and lowering inflammation. It also helps our immune system and is important for maintaining a healthy gut.
But why do many of Sheena's patients complain about the effects of eating lots of fruit, vegetables and pulses - despite growing awareness of their many health benefits? And why should we be concerned about our fibre intake?
Lifestyle medicine and social prescribing: the links
The Polish Society of Lifestyle Medicine has published an article exploring the link between social prescribing and lifestyle medicine.
Social prescribing has the potential to facilitate change in behaviour that can serve as non-medical treatments for many cognitive diseases.
There are challenges that need to be overcome in order for the successful integration and development of social prescribing alongside lifestyle medicine, with the effectiveness of its implementation differing across various countries.
Report looks at older people's mental health issues
A report has been released from the ALLIANCE and partners, aiming to support the Scottish Government's Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan.
A consultation event was held to discuss mental health within older adults both before and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The event looked at
- Older people's experiences of mental health
- Access to mental health services before and during the pandemic
- Experiences based on population group, e.g. gender or ethnicity.
Scottish government unveils new long covid support
The Scottish Government have announced a new £10 million Long COVID Support Fund, aimed at assisting health boards deal with the condition.
Many people have suffered long-term effects from the virus, meaning financial support for a structured long-term strategy will be essential as the country recovers from this pandemic. Health Secretary Humza Yousaf explained: “The new Long COVID Support Fund will give our NHS Boards the flexibility to design and deliver the best care for those with Longcovid, tailored to the specific needs of their populations."
GIANT Health Event
9am, 30th Nov, 2021 - 5pm, 1st Dec, 2021 (in London & Online)
The GIANT Health event is "Europe's largest annual festival of health-tech innovation". Set to be their biggest event yet, hear from over 400 speakers and network with thousands of Europe's leading healthcare and technology innovators, hospital leaders, health-sector investors, and entrepreneurs.
You can attend either in person or remotely, with Early Bird tickets available now.
Reset Your Health
Until May 5th, 2022 (Online)
Reset Your Health is an informative and individualised online programme which equips the user with evidence-based nutritional advice and the practical skills they need to eat healthily. Using a detailed ingredient-based algorithm RYH provides recipes personalised to an individual’s food preferences, dietary requirements and health conditions helping reverse health conditions caused by lifestyle.
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.
Lifestyle Medicine in Clinical Practice
Until January 1st, 2022 (Online)
Online Digital CPD Course 2. Accredited for 10 CPD hours by BSLM. This course has been created for busy NHS clinicians to enable them to practice evidence- based Lifestyle Medicine with their patients. CPD which is inspiring and will help you to feel more fulfilled in your career.
Self Care Week
Running from 15-21 November, Self Care Week is a UK-wide annual awareness week that aims to increase support for self care across communities, families and generations. To help with Self Care activities and help more people take better care of their health and well being, The Self Care Forum has produced an eight-point plan ... Read more.
Campaign to improve people's mental health
A new campaign has been launched by the Department of Health and Social Care that offers people free practical tips and advice to improve their mental health. After answering five straightforward questions, people can get a personalised 'Mind Plan' that helps them deal with stress and anxiety, boost their mood, sleep better and feel more in control. Read more.
Tackling health inequalities
Tackling health inequalities must be a fundamental priority for the NHS, a new briefing by NHS Providers has concluded. The briefing, produced for NHS Trusts, says the NHS has prioritised finding solutions to health inequalities - both by ensuring people have equitable access to health services and any avoidable differences in health outcomes are tackled. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the steps still needed to address the problem, with many of the worst affected coming from the most disadvantaged societies. Read more
