Cost of Occupational Health Services
across the UK

# Occupational Health Services Accreditation

Occupational health providers in the UK can hold accreditation from several recognised bodies, with the most significant being the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM), which is part of the Royal College of Physicians. Providers may also be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) if they employ occupational health nurses or other regulated professionals, or hold ISO 9001 certification for quality management systems. Some larger providers pursue Investors in People accreditation to demonstrate good employment practices. These credentials indicate that a provider has met defined standards for clinical competence, professional conduct, continuing professional development, and service quality. Understanding which accreditations are held by a potential provider helps you assess whether they meet the standards your organisation requires, particularly if you have regulatory obligations to meet.

To verify a provider's credentials, check their website for details of accreditation bodies and certificate numbers, then contact the relevant body directly to confirm status. The FOM maintains a register of accredited occupational physicians, the HCPC provides a searchable register of registered practitioners, and ISO certificates can be verified through certification bodies such as the BSI. It is important to verify credentials rather than relying solely on provider claims because accreditation is a meaningful assurance that practitioners have undergone scrutiny and continue to meet professional standards. This matters significantly for employer liability, as using an accredited provider demonstrates due diligence should occupational health advice later be questioned or disputed. Additionally, accredited providers typically have robust complaints procedures and professional indemnity insurance, offering protection that non-accredited providers may not provide.

Accredited occupational health providers usually charge between 10 and 30 percent more than unaccredited alternatives, depending on the level and breadth of accreditation held. This premium reflects the costs of maintaining accreditation, including regular audits