Update

BHMA Real Food campaign

In search of a sustainable, affordable and nourishing British diet

The Venn diagram connecting soil, soul and society reveals that we have to start viewing nutrition as impacting on many levels – from the genome to the ozone layer. Big picture: meat makes methane, and agribusiness has impoverished the soil microbiome, and in parallel a depleted human microbiome is having widespread consequences for mind and body. Voices are being raised against the unholy marriage whereby Big Food makes us sick and Big Pharma sells us the ‘cures’ . And so the BHMA called a circle of organisations that feel the urgent need to tackle these knotty and entangled challenges. We intend to fire up a coalition of parties that will promote the lifegiving and overlapping areas of sustainable agriculture, lifestyle and diet. And, in addition, to tell a story about the healing power of relationship; with the soil, with one another and with the larger community. The autumn issue of JHH will focus on these issues.

BHMA doctors’ retreats

While the idea of nature immersion for medics may seem novel, there is good research evidence for it. The impact on GPs of prolonged overload, and the stress of facing ever-rising demands with shrinking resources needs creative responses. These retreat programmes have been jointly developed by Hazel Hill Trust, Westminster Centre for Resilience and the BHMA. Following two very successful pilot programmes with hospital doctors, a pilot group in June was tailored to GPs. We plan to organise regular nature immersion work in the coming months.

Ecopoetics

Being-with the Forest: an eco-poetics day for healthcare practitioners and students Saturday 13 July 11am–6pm

This event for healthcare practitioners and medical students will use VERT Institute's practice of art-making and writing to explore embodied experience of the relationships between inside and outside, nature and culture, microcosm and macrocosm. The aim of the Institute is to offer unusual and stimulating art and writing events and workshops based on the creative ideas and experiences of poet Kay Syrad and world-renowned land artist Chris Drury.

Laughton (near Lewes, East Sussex), vegetarian lunch provided. Maximum 12 participants. See www.kaysyrad. co.uk/vert-institute.php and http://chrisdrury.co.uk. Cost: £100 for doctors, students £50 (some bursaries available) 10% discount for BHMA members.

Weleda gardens open day

Sunday 14 July 2019 11am–4pm The Field, Hassock Lane, Heanor, Derbyshire DE75 7JH

A rare opportunity to visit Weleda UK’s private gardens and wildflower meadow and get some insights into the plants that are at the heart of their natural products. Profits go to support the work of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and local initiatives.

See www.weleda.co.uk/openday

College of Medicine food conference

Food on Prescription

Over the past three years, the College of Medicine's Food Conference has become the leading UK event on food, lifestyle and medicine and is a ‘must attend’ for healthcare professionals who want to create a healthier future for patients, communities and the nation. The 2019 conference will focus on: • the latest insight on the biome and the relationship of food to our major lifestyle conditions • supporting healthy eating throughout our communities and nation • transforming the clinician to patient relationship between GPs • creating a coalition of stakeholders to reverse the current situation whereby those who most need healthy food are the least likely to be able to either access it or want it.

https://collegeofmedicine.org.uk/events/#!event/2019/10/2 4/food-on-prescription

12th European congress of integrative medicine

The Spanish Society of Health and Integrative Medicine (SESMI) and European Society of Integrative Medicine (ESIM) are organising the 12th Congress of Integrative Medicine in Barcelona from 13–15 September 2019.

The influence of integrative medicine is increasing all over the world, with health professionals and patients looking for an overall wellness. This allows an array of disciplines, including environmental, social, psychological and emotional to work together.

The congress will approach the main areas of interest in Integrative Medicine. Full information at https://ecim2019-barcelona.sesmi.es/en