Michael Howard MP opens new offices for leading occupational health specialist

Former leader of the Conservatives and MP for Folkestone, The Rt Hon Michael Howard QC MP, performed the opening ceremony at new offices for leading occupational health specialists, Premier Occupational Healthcare, on Wednesday 27th September 2006. The move into the new purpose built facilities in Folkestone marks the ongoing growth and development of Premierís business and establishes it as a key player in the health and wellbeing market, providing essential support to businesses for their employees.

Premier has exploited the latest innovations in technology to develop a range of health and wellbeing services that can be accessed easily and cost-effectively by businesses across the UK. ìIT has played a crucial role in enabling us to deliver cost-effective health and wellbeing solutions to organisations all over the country to help them better manage employee wellbeing, from recruitment to on-going developmentî confirmed Dr Manuel Fernandes, Managing Director, Premier Occupational Healthcare. ìCombined with a wealth of medical and clinical expertise both based at our head office and utilising a national network of healthcare professionals, this has enabled us to build a large portfolio of clients in a range of industries nationwide.î

Based in Shearway Business Park in Folkestone, the new purpose built office is headquarters to Premierís 53 staff. However, the ambitious growth plans of the company mean that Premier House will be able to easily accommodate further expansion.

Premier House is also the base for a specialist cardiology service, East Kent Heart, the Folkestone branch of CVS Health Ltd. Established by Mr Omid Hajilou and Dr Kayvan Kamalvand ,a consultant cardiologist, CVS offers private patients ëone-stop-clinicsí which include a full cardiological review and all diagnostic tests . The partnership with CVS enables Premier to enhance its lifestyle health screening services for its corporate customers.

Premierís services encompass a wide range of solutions to enable businesses to manage employee wellbeing including:

Pre-employment health questionnaires ñ delivered via the web

Management referrals to occupational physicians for performance or sickness absence issues

Mini-health checks delivered nationwide at Clientsí premises

A unique Organisational Health needs audit tool allowing the planning of health strategies for organisations, delivered on-site or via the web

Stress management workshops and audits
Traditional on-site Occupational Health services delivered by OH physicians and nurses
Health Surveillance
Employee and Employer telephone helplines for occupational health matters
Health promotion programmes
Online fitness programmes

The strategic partnership between Premier and leading health and wellbeing provider, FirstAssist, has also resulted in the development of state of the art sickness absence management programmes.

ìOur emphasis has always been on providing quality professional medical advice and services, delivered to our clients effectively and efficientlyî concluded Dr Fernandes. ìWe are committed to providing organisations with occupational health solutions that safeguard and enhance the health and wellbeing of their staff and which will, in turn, enhance their own business performance and profitability.

ìThe new offices are just one part of Premierís ongoing expansion and development strategy as we take the business to the next level.î