RECENT FEATURE ARTICLES

As some of the first healthcare PFI contracts near their end, Lisa Barnes, a Partner at construction and property consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) UK, and a specialist advisor in PFI, discusses a number of key aspects of the ‘handback’ journey that Trusts’ Estates managers need to consider.

IHEEM-registered AE (D), Dr Brian Kirk, explains the importance of using validated sterilisation processes to produce sterile single or multi-use medical devices such as re-usable metal surgical instruments, and the internationally agreed standards covering the sterilisation process and steriliser equipment. He considers both high and low temperature processes, and the key considerations when investing in sterilisation technology, and when faced with the challenge of a new medical device which requires sterilisation.

In the context of the recent update to British Standard (BS) 8580-2: Risk assessments for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other waterborne pathogens, Armitage Shanks recently brought together in London experts from across the healthcare sector to discuss what the changes mean in practice, and the role of the multidisciplinary team in preventing and responding to waterborne pathogens. Anil Madan, UK Non Residential Marketing manager for Ideal Standard and Armitage Shanks, reports.

The second day’s second keynote speaker at IHEEM’s joint Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland conference in Dublin was Brendan Smyth, Director of Health Projects within the Construction and Procurement Delivery (CPD) Department, Northern Ireland.

Erin Savage, Head of the Energy Strategy Team within Northern Ireland’s Department for the Economy, gave the first keynote presentation on the second day of IHEEM’s joint Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland conference in Dublin. She used her talk to discuss Northern Ireland’s recently published new energy strategy, Path to Net Zero Energy, its key themes, and the key short, medium, and longer-term objectives enshrined in it.

Colin Dobbyne, operating theatre control system designer, examines the IoT technology that could modernise operating theatres to become ‘part of an active collaborative support system’.

David Jones, from the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, argues that more thought must be given to the potential risk to patients, staff, and visitors from hospital buildings that are neither ‘sound’, nor ‘operationally safe’.

Healthcare facilities have complex and stringent design requirements. With specification of interior finishes key, the UK Sales manager at Construction Specialties UK considers some of the main design considerations and legislative requirements.

As high streets decline, empty premises result in lower footfall for neighbouring businesses. But many hospitals are full, with little means to physically expand. A recent webinar presented by Health Spaces explored a potential solution.

The increase in the UK cost of living has placed unprecedented pressure on operating budgets for NHS facilities and service-providers alike. An associate director at Archus outlines the ways NHS Estates and Facilities teams can address inflationary pressures, and protect service delivery standards, while maintaining the principles of partnership and social value.

Two new elective orthopaedic theatres at Merlin Park University Hospital in Galway have been equipped with Bender’s ‘state-of-the-art’ equipment, in a turnkey ‘supply and install’ project.

Parkhead Health & Care Centre, under construction in Glasgow, will become Scotland’s first working Net Zero carbon health and social care facility, improving the lives of some 200,000 people.

Leading microbiologists from the Central Sterilising Club look back at some of the key developments in surgical instrument decontamination over the past six decades.

The CEO of the Sustainability Energy Authority of Ireland on the drive to reduce the carbon footprint of the country’s public sector healthcare estate.

Dean Sullivan, Deputy CEO and Chief Strategy Officer at Ireland’s Health Service Executive, stresses the importance of the public sector taking a lead in the drive toward Net Zero.

How a provider of software, consultancy, training, support, and IT and document management solutions, helped the Digital Innovation and Strategic Estates teams at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust ‘kick off their BIM journey’, and improve the data collection process.

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has signed up to Wassenburg’s pay-per-use scheme in replacing four endoscope washer-disinfectors (EWDs).

Rina Pandya, head of People Transformation and Culture at NHS Property Services, discusses the importance of promoting the success of women in healthcare estates and facilities management – traditionally a male-dominated sector.

Matt Morse, a specialist in Legionella control and water treatment, discusses ‘competence’, with a particular focus on Legionella control, what the term signifies, how it can be measured, and why it is so important in a patient safety-critical field.

The risks posed to patients from pathogens found in hospital environments, and the need for those tasked with cleaning them to be adequately trained, and equipped with the latest technology, are highlighted by Dr Mark Garvey, consultant clinical scientist in Microbiology.