Reputable Occupational Health Specialists covering the whole of Northern Ireland
Expert Health Advice
We offer a comprehensive range of Occupational Health services:
- Absence management / fitness for work assessments
- Pre-employment / pre-placement health assessments
- Health surveillance (for example, in relation to noise, respiratory exposures, hand-arm vibration)
- Medical surveillance (Asbestos Medicals, Ionising Radiation Medicals)
- Cabin crew and Pilot Medicals
- Offshore Energies Medicals
- Medico-legal Reports
- Influenza vaccine administration
- Drug and Alcohol Testing
- Driver Medicals
- Display Screen Equipment (DSE) / Workstation risk assessments
- Climbers / Working at Heights assessments
- Pregnancy / Expectant Mother Risk Assessments
- Training Workshops
About us
Blackwell Associates Limited is one of the longest established independent providers of Occupational Health support for employers in Northern Ireland. With over 25 years' experience we have helped some of Northern Ireland's best known businesses reap the benefits of increased productivity and employee morale through effective occupational healthcare provision. Whilst our main focus remains health surveillance and fitness for work assessments, we believe a proactive approach to promote and maintain a healthy workforce is equally important.
What is Occupational Health?
Occupational Health facilitates and develops solutions to keep people safe by creating healthy work environments, and it supports people with existing health difficulties or longer-term disabilities to stay in work. It advises employers on how to prevent health conditions from happening and how to make appropriate adjustments to enable people to continue to work effectively whilst they manage their health. Occupational Health identifies, and works to remove, or mitigate, barriers in the workplace for disabled employees and advises both the employee and employer on how an employee can best be supported to succeed at work. In doing so, Occupational Health helps employers comply with current disability and health & safety legislation.
Studies have found that Occupational Health is an investment which pays off. For example, a £1 investment in Occupational Health leads to £1.93 saving in absenteeism costs or a £2.35 saving in medical costs.1 Occupational Health interventions have been shown to help people with disabilities and long-term conditions stay in work and increase productivity across the workforce.
Employees are a key business asset and essential to productivity and profitability. As well as benefitting employees, Occupational Health benefits the companies they work for by contributing to the creation of a health, happy and productive workforce.
1Occupational_Health_The_Value_Proposition_March_2022_0.pdf (som.org.uk)
MEET OUR TEAM
Dr Richard Black (MB BCh MRCP MFOM MSc)
Managing / Medical Director & Accredited Specialist in Occupational Medicine
Dr Richard Black joined our team in 2018 and is a full Member of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, as well as having a masters degree in occupational medicine from the University of Manchester.
He has a wealth of experience in the relationship between work and health, primarily in the health and social care sector, other public sector organisations and in the field of aeronautical engineering.
He is a past Treasurer, Secretary and Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Society of Occupational Medicine and is passionate about the protection of peoples' health in the workplace and the prevention of occupational injuries and disease.
Richard's top tip for healthy employees : in the digital age it is all too easy to confine yourself to a computer whilst at work- boost your daily step count by going for a walk at lunchtime or during any breaks, think about walking down the corridor or climbing a flight of stairs to have a chat with colleagues, as opposed to dropping them an email.
Dr Alan Black (MB, BAO, BCH, MRCP, MFOM, FFOMI)
Director & Accredited Specialist in Occupational Medicine
With over 30 years of experience in the world of Occupational Health, Dr Black provides professional advice and direction to all of Blackwell Associates' valued clients.
Having founded the Practice in 1997, Dr Black is passionate about helping patients return to or remain at work, by helping employers accommodate their health needs.
As an aviation enthusiast, Dr Black is also a qualified aeromedical examiner for the Civil Aviation Authority and specialises in fitness assessments for safety-critical employment (e.g. airline or chartered
pilots).
Dr Alan Black’s top tip for healthy employees : ensure that you have a healthy and sustainable work / life balance - don’t let bringing work home become the norm.
Jill Scott (RGN BSc Hons. OH)
Director & Occupational Health Advisor
Jill is one of the original staff members of Blackwell Associates, Jill has over 30 years of experience in Occupational Health.
Having worked in a variety of fields prior to joining us, she has a strong clinical background and is committed to ensuring the health and well-being of clients. Jill regularly takes courses and shares her knowledge with colleagues to assist them in providing a high level of customer care.
Jill’s top tip for healthy employees : laughter is the best medicine.
Liz Lowry BA (Hons.)
Business Director
Liz is one of the founding members of Blackwell Associates and has over 30 years' experience in the occupational health field, Liz is well-placed to understand the difficulties and issues that companies face in today’s economic environment.
Liz’s main duties include managing client relationships and ensuring the delivery of an effective and efficient service while complying with appropriate legislation and guidelines at all times.
Liz’s top tip for healthy employees : Be kind to yourself and share it with others. Kindness is free, sprinkle it everywhere.
Roisin MacCann (RGN SCPHN OH)
Nurse Lead & Occupational Health Advisor
Roisin joined Blackwell Associates in 2021 and works alongside our nursing team to ensure a high level of performance when meeting clients expectations.
She has come with a wealth of Occupational Health experience covering NHS, Education, Local Authority and Financial sectors spanning 20 years.
Roisin's top tip for healthy employees: In a busy world make sure you get enough time to relax and go on holidays, especially the beach.
Joanne Austin (RGN, BSc, Post Grad Dip.)
Occupational Health Advisor
With over 30 years of nursing experience, Joanne worked in neurosurgical units in both the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Royal Preston Hospital for 10 years. Following this, Joanne worked in a general practice and as a Nursing Sister in Occupational Health at the Royal Group of Hospitals.
For the last 18 years, Joanne has been working alongside our nursing team, where she attends all appropriate courses and assessments required within her role as an Occupational Health Advisor. Joanne also ensures a high level of performance at all times, by liaising with clients on a regular basis and understanding their needs.
Joanne’s top tip for healthy employees : make an effort to always monitor your nutrition and portion sizes, and ensure a diet consisting of a good range of healthy foods including fruit.
Joanne SharrattHealth Advisor
Joanne joined Blackwell Associates in 2015 and works alongside the nursing team to ensure a high level of performance when meeting clients' expectations. Having previously spent time working as a nurse in the Royal Victoria Hospital and various travel clinics, Joanne brings with her vast experience and field-specific skills.
Joanne’s top tip for healthy employees : maintain a sense of humour, partake in regular exercise and enjoy a healthy, balanced diet.
Joanne Rea
Medical Secretary/Receptionist
Joanne joined Blackwell Associates in 2014 and brings with her over 16 years of secretarial and administrative experience.
Supporting the daily activities of the department, Joanne enjoys liaising with new and existing clients daily, while ensuring the smooth running of all administrative tasks within the Practice.
Joanne’s top tip for healthy employees : whether you work at a desk or have a more labour intensive job, ensure you rotate your duties as regularly as you can to keep your mind alert and to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injury.
Louise Graham
Medical Secretary/Receptionist
Bringing an outstanding 31 years of experience with her, Louise joined Blackwell Associates in 2015 to help ensure the Practice runs seamlessly. Welcoming patients and putting them at ease, along with scheduling relevant appointments are some of Louise’s key duties. She also helps the wider team with various daily tasks.
Louise’s top tip for healthy employees : stay positive by aiming to be a team player, and be open and approachable at all times.
Jennifer Garrett
Medical Secretary/Receptionist
Jennifer joined Blackwell Associates in March of 2023 bringing with her 34 years of experience in Administration 16 of which have been within the Occupational Health sector.
Working alongside the admin and clinical team Jennifer helps to ensure the smooth running of Practice.
Jennifer’s top tip for employees : In a world where you can be anything - Be Kind
Associate Colleagues
Dr Debbie Turner
Occupational Health Consultant / Accredited Specialist
Dr Andrea Latimer
Occupational Health Physician
Dr Jan Robinson
Occupational Health Physician
Dr Jim Hunter (MB BCh MRCGP DOccH)
Occupational Health Physician
Dr Hunter has worked in Occupational Health in a part-time capacity since 1996 initially in the Health Service and latterly with Blackwell Associates Ltd. He also works as a GP Principal. Dr Hunter enjoys bringing his clinical experience as a GP into the Occupational Health world to help people manage significant health problems and to adapt to the limitations that illness can bring to an individual’s daily functioning.
Sharon Walbran
Occupational Health Advis0r
Sharon has worked alongside the Blackwell team for the past 16 years and has 22 years experience overall in Occupational health in a variety of settings. She has over 32 years of nursing experience in the UK, Ireland and Europe mostly specialising in orthopaedics before moving into OH.
She regularly keeps herself updated to ensure best practice and ability to give appropriate information to facilitate an optional outcome for employees and employers alike.
Sharon's top health tip is : Get out into nature and move ! It really does benefit your mental and physical health.
Carmel Meehan
Occupational Health Advisor
Marie Connelly
Health Adviser
Christine Connor
Occupational Health Adviser
