RECENT NEWS

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

Daray manufactures a range of surgical lighting products which use both LED and halogen light sources to cater for surgeons’ varying demands. The SL400 series is one such range available in both lighting formats.

On a mission to understand the life sciences eco-system which exists in Leeds between industry, NHS, and academia, the Rt Hon David Willetts MP, Minister for Universities and Science, visited medical equipment specialists, Brandon Medical, on 26 September.

IHEEM and Eastwood Park announced at last month’s Healthcare Estates show the launch of a ‘new and refreshed’ Authorising Engineers’ development programme.

Airwave Healthcare is to market in the UK a system that will enable patients that, for instance, due to a stroke, other brain, or spinal injury, have significantly reduced motor function, to access and control television, radio, Internet, and nurse call functions, on an Airwave healthcare touchscreen, simply by looking at part of the screen.

Ole Rist, the IFHE President, has written to the Hospital Engineering Association of Japan (HEAJ) on behalf of the Federation congratulating it on reaching its 60th anniversary.

The IFHE Executive Committee Meeting on 9 September in Malaysia (see also pages 17-19) saw IHEEM’s IFHE representative, and the Digest’s commissioning editor, Andy Wavell, give an update on both the four international issues of HEJ, and progress with the IFHE Digest.