RECENT NEWS

A new mental health care home in Northampton, designed by David Grindley Architects for Gold Care Homes, has been shortlisted for two national design awards.

CIBSE has launched its fourth “100 Hours of Carbon Clean Up” campaign (HEJ – September 2008), under which it is encouraging organisations to set aside as much time as possible, and ideally at least 100 hours, during the six-week initiative to reduce their buildings’ carbon emissions.

The London Borough of Redbridge (LBR) has granted planning permission for the development of a new, low-secure mental health facility at Goodmayes Hospital in Ilford.

The Facilities Management Graduate Centre within the Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University will now be known as the Centre for Facilities Management Development.

VINCI Park, which claims to be the world’s largest car parking operator, has acquired Karspace Management in a £1 million deal which it says highlights its ambitious growth plans.

The British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) has issued position papers on energy and skills.

An Engineering Council UK (ECUK) conference at The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology in Coleman Street in London on 14 October,

The NHS must play a strong role in both carbon reduction and climate change resilience over the next two decades, says a new 40-page report, Fit for the Future, co-produced by the NHS Sustainable Development Unit (SDU) and Forum for the Future and based on the latest scientific evidence on the potential impact of climate change on the UK as a whole, and on healthcare provision in particular, over the next 20 years.

IHEEM is pleased to announce that it has increased its presence in the virtual world. Membership officer Charlotte Fletcher said: “Members can now join our group on LinkedIn, become a fan on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

In July IHEEM’s International Committee welcomed three members of the Norwegian Forum for Sykehus Tekniske Ledelse (NFSTL), the country’s equivalent to IHEEM and an IFHE member organisation, who visited the Institute’s Portsmouth’s offices to meet the head office team and other key personnel.

The Institute is staging three one-day seminars on managing medical gas systems within healthcare premises over the next two months. Being held in London on 13 October, Birmingham on 17 November, and Newcastle on 24 November, these will cover topics including:

IHEEM members will soon be able to buy specially-produced Institute ties and scarves. Earlier this year, following a request in Health Estate Journal, members were asked to give their opinion on a range of designs for a new tie for gentlemen and scarf for lady members (HEJ – March 2009).

Her role will centre on the planning and logistics of the 2009 Healthcares Estates Conference this month. A former rugby player and still avid supporter, she enjoys travelling, and can also be found cycling, walking, or relaxing on her allotment.

Paul Kingsmore, director of Health Facilities Scotland (HFS), and IHEEM’s president-elect, will open the 2009 Scottish Healthcare Conference, which opens on 12 November at the Crieff Hydro Hotel in Perthshire.

IHEEM says delegate attendance numbers are at “a record high” both for the conference and associated dinner at this year’s Healthcare Estates event, which opens on 27 October in Harrogate, and will also feature the largest exhibition in the show’s history.

Trumpf Medical has re-located its UK head office from Malmesbury to Luton, simultaneously opening an impressive new showroom. Part of a German multinational engineering group, Trumpf Medical’s products include operating tables, ceiling-mounted equipment management systems, and surgical lights.

London Health 09 is now open for registration and the agenda is complete. Visit the website to see a full list of speakers including Ruth Carnell, Cynthia Bower, Leo Boland and Pam Chester.

Kent Health Protection Unit (HPU), part of the Health Protection Agency, last month announced it was leading an investigation into five confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in East Kent.

HLM Architects’ design, in association with Hall Black Douglas, for the new South Wing at Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Londonderry, was highly commended for the International Healthcare Project Award under 40,000 m2 at the recent Design & Health International Academy Awards in Singapore.

BAM Construct UK has won six gold medals from the Considerate Constructors’ Scheme (CCS) – more than any other major contractor, following its announcement in April of a record turnover for the year ended 31 December 2008 of £1.75 billion.