Acorn is proud to have been awarded the Excellence in Customer Service Award 2022, at the East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Awards.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, many businesses needed to adapt. But at Acorn we were innovative, flexible, and maintained our customer-first approach to improving the well-being of our client’s employees.
We showed innovation, that we are dedicated to our customers, and had a dynamic approach to the quickly changing situation. Our flexible and diverse service offering, along with our outstanding team, meant our annual turnover increased by 85% compared with pre-pandemic levels.
About Acorn Occupational Health
Acorn Occupational Health was established in 2005 and has grown from strength to strength since. We currently have 42 employees, some of which are based in our Congleton office, and some work remotely or are home-based.
Our previous awards include:
- Customer Care and Service Award 2009
- Customer Care Award 2011
- Small Business of the Year Award 2013
- Health and Wellbeing Award 2019
Excellence in Customer Award 2022
Acorn differentiates itself in terms of quality of service and customer satisfaction. Which was recognised, and why we were awarded the Excellence in Customer Award 2022. Each member of our team is proud to provide a wider range of occupational health services. We deliver real value, which is competitively priced and gives our customers a competitive advantage.
Our aim is to make a difference in the heart of an organisation. Improving the health of employees, reducing business costs, increasing productivity, and reducing business risks. Offering a service tailored to the customer’s precise requirements whilst ensuring value for money.
We differentiate ourselves by the level of service we provide:
Our Service
We provide value-added services to businesses and industries that reduce costs by successfully managing the reduction of sickness absence. Assisting employers to meet health and safety legislation which will minimise the likelihood of civil claims and prosecution. Plus these services help to increase productivity by ensuring employees are healthy and fit.
Our Flexible Service
The full spectrum of services we provide is available 24/7. But we can also provide services at short notice, or via a mobile unit to non-office-based businesses e.g. on construction sites.
Our Personal-Focused Approach
Acorn’s close-knit team and ethos mean each team member is focused on delivering an excellent service, no matter the size of the business.
Our Free Advice
We offer free advice to our clients and potential clients on a daily basis. As some questions cannot wait until the next meeting and we can provide support during difficult times.
Our Specialist and Bespoke Services
As well to the core services we offer, we can provide more bespoke and unique services which are tailored to the needs of the business or the person. These can include functional capacity assessments or drug and alcohol screening.
Our Staff Development
We encourage every single member of our team to develop personally and professionally. This has included sponsoring 3 nurses through an Occupational Health Degree course. And 2 Technicians through their Masters qualficiations.
Our Qualified Staff
Our staff are the services we offer, and we pride ourselves on the expertise of our team. Our nurses are registered nurses and have various levels of education including postgraduate degrees, IOSH qualifications, stress management qualifications, and chartership in ergonomics.
Our Pricing
At Acorn, our pricing is competitive. We do not request a retainer fee and only charge for the work our customer receives. We also offer fixed-priced, long-term contracts to encourage a continuity of service.
Our Orchid Live Online Portal
This purpose-built system allows for the transfer of medical information in a highly confidential way. It increases efficiency, adheres to GDPR regulations, and is environmentally friendly as it reduces the use of paper.
Our Local Economy
We employ around 21 local people, and our workforce is growing annually by around 6 people.
Our National Recognition
Acorn has been awarded the SEQOHS accreditation, the UKAS accreditation, and the RISQS accreditation.
Covid-19 and Our adaptations
In March 2020, we had to adapt quickly. Acorn became a leader in innovation, regarding covid and we provided excellence in our related services.
As a result of the covid pandemic, we implemented the below service offerings:
- Covid-19 triage. These services assessed whether employees need to shield. As the 111 service was overrun, this service provide information to employees regarding their ability to work based on their fitness. This reduced the burden on the NHS 111 service.
- Free advice line for managers. We offered this service to answer questions of managers who had covid-related concerns.
- PCR and Lateral flow testing. This allowed businesses to test employees, keeping them safe and therefore remain open. We were one of the 1st companies to become UKAS accredited as a national covid approved to provide for the general public and for travel.
- Face fit testing for the police and community workers in Nottingham to ensure face coverings were keeping them safe.
- Vaccinations to hospital staff at Arrowsmith Park Hospital.
- Ergonomic and Human factor services: were designed to ensure the safety of staff returning to the office. The services involved covid risk assessments and safe design of office layout assessments.
- A customised portal. Which provided remote sickness management and health surveillance. This meant that customers remains compliant with health and safety laws throughout the pandemic.
- Our Occupational Therapist provided mental health services for many of our clients, either remotely or onsite during the pandemic.
Our Accreditations
Our accreditations have meant that new and more effective revenue streams have come from both the public and private sectors. They provide Acorn with the recognition that we provide services to a specific standard, that meets the health and safety criteria of the industry.
SEQOHS
This is the gold standard for the industry, which identifies occupational health providers that supply safe, appropriate, and effective services
UKAS ISO 15189
At Acorn, we provide excellent customer services and assistance for the general public as well as business travel for covid testing.
RISQS
This accreditation allows Acorn to be part of the Rail track national providers for Personal Track Safety (PTS) medicals, and Drug and Alcohol testing for rail workers.
NHS Framework
This framework provides access to the NHS when initially offering services, such as Face fit testing and Vaccination programmes.
Contact Us
If you’d like more information on the occupational health services we provide, and how these could benefit the health of your employees and your business goals, please get in touch. Email us at website@acornoh.co.uk or call us on 01260 277797