Elaine MaslinA health firm set up to give assistance to North Sea energy workers has set its sights on growth in the wake of being bought by one of its international clients.Elaine Maslin

A health firm set up to give assistance to North Sea energy workers has set its sights on growth in the wake of being bought by one of its international clients.

Occupational health group Abermed, which has offices in Great Yarmouth and Norwich, said it hoped new jobs would be created after its purchase by the American International SOS group.

SOS, previously one of Abermed's clients, operates in more than 70 countries and has a worldwide network of alarm centres, clinics, and more than 55,000 health and logistics providers.

Abermed unit manager Stefan Bristow said the partnership with a firm the size of International SOS would give stability and security to the Norfolk operation.

A statement from the company added that 'further jobs are expected to be created at the company during the forthcoming year.'

Abermed, based in Aberdeen, has offices in the UK and Kazakhstan and employs 180 full times staff as well as part time employees and offshore medics on short contracts, the firm said.

Its turnover for the year ending April 2009 was just under �16m and its clients include Shell, Perenco and Amec but also food manufacturing firms and the public sector.

It employs 22 people at its Yarmouth site and 10-year-old Norwich city airport centre, which were part of the North Sea Medical Centre (NSMC) business bought by Abermed five years ago.