RECENT NEWS

About 40 light bulbs have been removed from hospital corridors at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, the BBC has reported.

A new £6 million nursing home has been opened on the site of the former St Vincent’s Hospital at Pinner, Middlesex. The 18 acre home, built by construction contractor Osborne, can accommodate 60 beds in single occupancy rooms.

Decontamination and sterile services provider Sterience is now focusing on providing services through partnership agreements with Trusts. Specifically aimed at upgrading existing hospital provision, the service will encompass investment in new equipment and TUPE issues to retain existing on-site skills while enhancing capabilities. This new focus for the UK follows the decision by Sterience to withdraw from participation in the National Programme as a result of recent events within this scheme.

The new state-of-the-art Longview centre in Huyton, Merseyside, has been officially opened.

Construction work has begun on a new mental health unit in South Yorkshire which is set to become a showcase for “green” design in the NHS.

Mailbox has completed the supply and installation of HTM 71 high density materials management systems at the new children’s hospital and adult head and neck centre at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

Patrick Johnson, managing director of NHS Supply Chain, is set to speak at the Medilink Yorkshire and Humber Innovation Day and Healthcare Business Awards on 19 April.

Kingston Hospital NHS Trust will gain secure environmentally friendly energy supplies through a 15-year PFI agreement which will save around 4,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

The new John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, designed by architects RTKL, has been completed. The new hospital, situated on the existing site, approximately three miles north of Oxford City Centre, will provide a children’s hospital, a head and neck centre and a diagnostic block to relocate services from the Radcliffe Infirmary in the city centre.

Throughout its history, the Healthcare Estates Conference and Exhibition has addressed the current political, economic and practical challenges facing those involved in healthcare facilities management.

Atlas Copco compressors were on show and a key discussion topic when authorised distributor Tipton-based AQ Central co-hosted, with Midland Medical Services, a meeting of IHEEM’s Midlands Branch.

Published recently, HTM 07-01 replaces the Health Services Advisory Committee’s guidance document Safe disposal of clinical waste that was introduced in 1999.

A new report, supported by leading business and investor organisations, has set out 11 recommendations to address a paradox which threatens the future of the UK economy: why are there so few science, engineering and technology (SET) businesses generating wealth in the UK when London is a powerful capital market, and our science base is among the best in the world?.

New research from the ETB (Engineering and Technology Board) shows a 26% decrease in students taking engineering, manufacturing and technology in further education colleges over the last three academic years.

Deterred by the prospect of incurring further debt, many BEng (Hons) graduates choose not to continue their studies to Master’s level, claims the ECUK.

Members are asked to continue to assist the IFHE Secretariat with up to date contact information.

The 19th Congress of the International Federation of Hospital Engineering (IFHE) was held in Cape Town, South Africa, last May.

IFHE president Steve Drinkrow took part in a symposium on the Role of Healthcare Engineering in Providing Safe and Sustainable Health Service Environment in Nairobi, and in a subsequent workshop on Advanced Healthcare Technology Management in Mombasa.

IFHE submitted a report to WHO on 10 September 2006 reviewing its collaboration over the past three years.

Members of the executive committee have been involved with various projects to further the aims and objectives of IFHE, writes president Steve Drinkrow.