Events

Complementary medicine

27 March, London

The NHS Alliance and Exeter University's department of complementary medicine are holding a conference on 'Complementary medicine in primary care - time to decide'.

The event will consider the issues primary care leaders need to address, examine the evidence needed, the cost-effectiveness of treatments and how to involve appropriate practitioners.

Details: Yvonne Hunter, 0121-248 3399.

Hospital ergonomics

5 April, Cambridge

For the first time, the Ergonomics Society will devote a whole day to hospitals during a three-day 'Ergonomics symposium'. Research papers being presented include patient handling, hospital ergonomics, organisational and cultural factors and an integrated back injury prevention programme.

Details: Carol Greenwood, 01509-234 904.

Working with older people

8 April, London '

Who does what to whom?

Organisational stress and team morale in working with older people' is the title of this year's annual later-life conference organised by the Tavistock Clinic and the old-age section of the Association for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in the NHS. Topics include issues arising for clinicians and managers of organisations and teams who work directly with older people.

Details: conference and external events unit, 0207447 3829.

Assertive outreach

9 April, Warwick

A conference on 'Making assertive outreach work'marks the first anniversary of the launch of the National Forum for Assertive Outreach, an initiative supported during its development by the Sainsbury centre for mental health.

Details: Karen Lothian, 020-7827 8384.

Treating schizophrenia

10 April, Leeds/Bradford

The Andrew Sims Centre for Professional Development, part of Leeds Community and Mental Health Services trust, is holding an afternoon course on 'How safe are treatments for schizophrenia?' Key learning points cover the cardiac sideeffects of antipsychotics, current data around diabetes and patients with schizophrenia, and the role of antipsychotics.

Details: course administrator, 0113-305 6044.

Skin deep

10-11 April, Liverpool

A Royal Society of Medicine regional meeting on 'The ageing of skin'will examine the physical and psychological effects of the ageing process. Dermatologists, psychologists and plastic surgeons will discuss the pros and cons of aesthetic treatments such as skin peels, botox, laser surgery and dermal augmentation, and will report on what we can expect of antiageing treatments in the future.

Details: Yvonne Perks, 020-7290 2980.

Effective chairs

12 April, Manchester

'The effective chair' is part of a workshop series for current chairs of health authorities and trusts in England and Wales, organised by Manchester University's centre for healthcare management. The workshops follow the same basic design as the national non-executive development programme, but the topics are more suited to the problems faced by chairs.

Details: Linda Ingle, 0161-275 2911.

Items are entered free for public sector, voluntary and professional organisations, but we need at least six weeks' notice of your event. Please send details to Uli Jaeger, HSJ , Greater London House, Hampstead Road, London, NW1 7EJ. Fax: 020-7874 0254.

E-mail: uli. jaeger@emap. com Due to pressure on space, publication cannot be guaranteed.