RECENT NEWS

Anna Walker, chief executive of the Healthcare Commission has said that information comparable with the NHS should be available and published on the performance of all independent healthcare providers, whether serving NHS patients or not.

Work has started on a new primary care centre in Alsager.

Training and conference specialist Eastwood Park is introducing a new Energy Management course in the autumn.

Bury, Tameside and Glossop Community Solutions (BTGCS) has commenced building work on its Ashton development. Due for completion in December 2008, the centre is being developed through a public/private partnership involving Tameside and Glossop Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Community Solutions for Primary Care.

Alan Hambidge has established Empathy Environmental Consultants, and is providing services focused on healthcare estates and facilities.

The off-site construction company, Terrapin Ltd builds and ships medical facilities ranging from GPs’ surgeries to hospital operating theatres in its specialist Bedfordshire factory. With off-site construction well established in other sectors, the company is focusing on the opportunities it can offer to NHS Trusts and other healthcare providers.

Sodexho has appointed Simon Scrivens as managing director of Tillery Valley Foods (TVF), a supplier of chilled and frozen prepared meals to the healthcare sector.

Touchpaper, provider of IT business management solutions, has announced that West London Mental Health NHS Trust (WLMHT) has rolled out the Touchpaper IT Business Management (ITBM) Suite to over 2,500 members of staff across 30 sites.

One of the largest key worker and affordable/shared equity housing schemes in the UK, the 557 unit St Georges Healthcare NHS Trust PPP scheme in Tooting, has officially reached financial close.

The Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust has purchased the C-cam (Cardiac Gamma Camera) for its eight different sites across north London and Hertfordshire to help reduce waiting lists by doubling the number of patients studied in a single day.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson has outlined a package of measures to help reduce healthcare associated infections in hospitals, including new responsibilities for matrons, new guidance on clothing and the isolation of patients who are infected.

IHEEM is supporting – and will be in attendance at – Health Facilities Scotland’s 2007 Annual Conference which is being held at the Airth Castle Hotel near Stirling on 6 and 7 November.

Five years on from his report for the Treasury, which paved the way for a 50% increase in NHS spending, Sir Derek Wanless has outlined deep concerns as well as successes in his latest review of the NHS.

IHEEM members now not only have free and confidential telephone legal advice available through Law Express but also access to basic legal information and advice through the LX-Personal website.

IHEEM accounts manager Marie Luckham (nee Davey) has returned to the Institute following maternity leave – her son, Alfie, was born in April.

IHEEM HQ has signed up to CIBSE’s “100 Days of Carbon Clean Up”.

IHEEM is running a series of seminars to give a general introduction to HTM07-01 and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) Regulations and to identify how the guidance will have an effect on everyday working practices.

Newcastle PFI has selected Brandon Medical as medical lighting suppliers for the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospitals.

Microbiology company Oxoid has announced the winners of the 2006/2007 Oxoid Infection Control Team of the Year Awards:

Disabled outpatients visiting the Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, Scotland, since the beginning of August, are receiving a free Hospital Mobility service set up by parking operator Vinci Park. Developed as part of an ongoing partnership with NHS Tayside, this initiative is a first for a UK parking company and an NHS hospital.