Lessons Learned: Pandemic Phase I

Protecting Healthcare Workers: "duty to care for workers and patients" and the "need to protect self and loved ones"

IHPM WorkPlace Wellness Alliance has been networking with the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) – based in the UK but extending its reach to other parts of the globe – has pulled together a set of “lessons learned” from their collective experience of the pandemic’s first phase. These lessons were derived chiefly from the chain of events in the UK – with some influence from European countries – during the months starting in March. But they apply equally to the US experience, and are valuable for all employers – as well as public health officials – to ponder:

In the beginning — January 2020 — a new viral respiratory infection was identified in Wuhan. China: a) It seemed to be centered on the wet/wild life market; b) but there was some debate whether there was possibility of human to human transference; c) But, this was confirmed on 20 January -- initially people were pretty relaxed...... and then......

Listen in on the conversation with Dr. Will Ponsonby, Nick Pahl, Sean Sullivan (IHPM) and "extended family" pets. Lessons Learnt: SOM’s Experience of the First Phase of the Pandemic [click here]

During the first COVID-19 lockdown, SOM workers campaigned to protect health care workers, highlighting conflicts between their "duty to care for patients" and the "need to protect themselves and loved ones". SOM has supported the development of more effective policies with regulators and Government as well as the the need for universal access to occupational heal during this COVID-19 crisis.

Of special Interest: [Book your ticket here] Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM), University of Glasgow and SOM are hosting a high level 4-hour summit beginning at 2:00 pm UK time — Perspectives on COVID-19 and Risk — Tuesday, 10 November Speakers will include Dr. Richard Heron (BP); Dr Mike Ryan, Executive Director, WHO; Sir David Spiegelhalter OBE FRS; Sir Michael Marmott and others.

Nick Pahl is CEO of the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM), the largest and oldest nationally recognised professional organization of individuals with an interest in health and work.  Through its collective voice, SOM advances knowledge, and increases awareness to influence the future of occupational health and the health of people in or returning to work. SOM's Patrons are Lord Blunkett, Dame Carol Black and Sir Norman Lamb.

Nick was previously CEO of the British Acupuncture Council, and held senior posts in the NHS, a national hospice charity and Marie Stopes International. He has completed a Windsor Leadership Trust and ACEVO next generation CEO training, has a diploma in management, a degree in Economics and an MSc in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He is a Board member of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.SOM commissions leading researchers leading researchers at universities and research institutes to improve understanding of key workplace health issues.

Working as an independent Occupational Physician since September 2018, Dr. Will Ponsonby current Past President of the UK Society of Occupational Medicine, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Medicine University of Manchester, Dr. Ponsonby qualified in Medicine Birmingham UK 1986. He trained in General Practice and Emergency Medicine. In 1996. He ran the medical service for AIOC/BP in Baku Azerbaijan and was ISOS Regional Medical Director for Russian and Kazakhstan 4 years.  In 2002 he, trained and board certified in Occupational Medicine (UK) and worked for Shell UK looking after the North Sea offshore workforce.  In 2006 Dr. Ponsonby transferred to The Hague for Shell as Corporate Health Adviser for Exploration and Production International; 2010 Shell Regional Manager for the Middle East and Africa based in Dubai including Health Management of the Iraq projects. He joined Rio Tinto as Head of Health in August 2015, based in London & Singapore. 

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