RECENT NEWS

To mark its 70th Anniversary, and following a seminar held nearby which considered the future challenges for the sector to 2020 and beyond (see also pages 25-29), the Institute held a celebratory lunch at the House of Parliament on 12 November, sponsored by Lord O’Neill of Clackmannan.

At its meeting in late October, IHEEM’s Council agreed to the launch of a number of new membership categories, beginning with the Skilled Person Affiliate (HEJ – October 2013).

IHEEM’s new administration officer, who has recently joined the Institute’s head office team, is Jolene Tebbey. With a background of working for the NHS in Wales, she recently took what she said was ‘the major step’ of relocating from South Wales to Portsmouth.

With last October’s Healthcare Estates event having, in the words of the organisers, Step Exhibitions, proved ‘an unqualified success’, with more visitors filling the isles, conference delegate numbers having grown year-on-year, and the IHEEM Awards Dinner a sell-out, stand bookings for this year’s exhibition are already at 55 per cent.

Abloy UK’s supply of high security CLIQ cylinders and keys to upgrade the security of the drug cabinets at Scunthorpe General Hospital has resulted in significant cost and time savings.

Intastop says ‘client feedback’ prompted its engineers to design its ‘unique’ FD30 fire-rated Door Top Alarm, developed to prevent attempted suicide from the tops of doors in mental health establishments.

Improving signage to properly explain the ‘process’ that patients will go through on arriving in A&E, and make waiting times less frustrating, and working with frontline NHS personnel to support their interactions with patients dealing with a difficult situation, can significantly improve patient experience, and reduce non-physical aggression and hostility towards staff in such environments, a report has confirmed.

The Government is ‘in serious danger of killing off the air conditioning inspection regime’, claims Bob Towse, head of technical and safety at the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES), has said.

HRH Duke of Kent recently toured Ross-on-Wye facility of bedpan macerator and single use pulp product manufacturer, Haigh Engineering, where he met management and staff, saw how the company uses the latest manufacturing technology, and witnessed Haigh’s commitment to apprentices and ‘developing its people’.

Electrical manufacturer, Legrand, is to enter the UK assisted living and healthcare sectors following the acquisition of North East-based manufacturer, Tynetec.

The Engineering Council has welcomed an announcement made by the Government which sets out its implementation plan for reform of Apprenticeships, building on the recommendations of the Richard Review.

Edwina Hart AM, Welsh Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, has officially opened the £30 million Hadyn Ellis Building in Cardiff, dubbing it ‘one of the most beautiful buildings I have seen’.

‘Lighting in the NHS is often over five years’ old, on 24 hours a day, and based on inefficient technology.

The Government is ‘in serious danger of killing off the air conditioning inspection regime’, Bob Towse, head of technical and safety at the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES), has said.

The final phase of works to relaunch and refurbish the outpatients’ department at the BMI The London Independent Hospital, with improved patient waiting areas and consulting rooms, has been completed.

Delegates attending a one-day conference on ‘Preventing Pseudomonas’, being held by the Water Management Society on 3 December at the Drayton Manor Hotel in Tamworth.

The new BEAMA Water Safety and Hygiene group has now been launched, and incorporates the Thermostatic Mixing Valve Association.

The Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) has signed a partnership with The International Institute for Advanced Purchasing & Supply (IIAPS) to develop a new Masters-level qualification for procurement and supply professionals.

BSI has launched the BS 8544 Guide for lifecycle costing of maintenance during the in-use phase of buildings.

NHS Trusts and healthcare organisations from across England assembled in London on 17 October to witness the official launch of NHS Sustainability Day 2014, which IHEEM is supporting, and for which HEJ is the official media partner