RECENT NEWS

The new HTM 01 on disinfection and sterilisation is being published and is the first update of the guidance for over 10 years.

An FM seminar titled ‘Developing capacity and career pathways’ is to be held by the Southern Training Advisory Group (STAG) at the Hawkwell House Hotel, Oxford, on Thursday, 5 October 2006.

For the IHEEM London Branch summer visit, arrangements were made for a “behind the scenes” group tour of the Royal Opera House, London, including a focus on engineering aspects of the premises.

In the early summer, I was invited by IHEEM president Phil Nedin to attend a presentation day at Cardiff University, writes Tammy Simmons, the Institute’s membership manager.

Hulley & Kirkwood, one of the UK’s leading independent mechanical and electrical consulting engineering firms, is celebrating financial closure on the £553 million University Hospital Birmingham Project.

The majority of medical professionals believe that NHS policies on portable data security are inadequate and could even breach patient confidentiality.

Following its reappointment as National Care Association (NCA) Fire Safety Consultants, the English Community Care Association (ECCA) and Scottish Care have announced that Fireco Ltd has been appointed Fire Safety Consultants for both associations.

Reading-based Kee Klamp Ltd is helping Swindon Health Centre meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) with a new tubular handrail system created using its specially developed 500 Series.

Fittings from this range have been used to construct a new guard and handrailing structure beside a crossing point for disabled visitors at the main entrance to the centre, ensuring safe and easy access for all visitors.

Howorth Medical has recently completed a major project at BMI Albyn Hospital, Aberdeen. Work carried out included the upgrading and refitting of two existing theatres and a recovery area. A third theatre was also built to increase capacity and flexibility of usage.

As part of its appointment for St Helens LIFT (Local Improvement Finance Trust), the Manchester office of White Young Green (WYG), consultants to the built, natural and social environment, has been providing design services on a variety of schemes throughout the north west of England.

Daikin Airconditioning has won one of Britain’s first Green Hero awards for environmental best practice.

MTX was awarded the contract to supply and install a new modular ophthalmic operating theatre suite at Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth. The additional theatre, which is now complete, will substantially increase the number of operations carried out at the hospital as well as offer a state-of-the-art ophthalmic theatre.

With MRSA responsible for the deaths of 100 patients each week, the battle to combat so-called superbugs has to become an airborne offensive if it and other hospital acquired infections are to be defeated.

The Birmingham New Hospitals Project at the city’s Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre has reached financial close permitting the construction of this regional centre of clinical excellence to proceed.

Currently being distributed is the eagerly awaited conference programme for the Healthcare Estates Conference and Exhibition 2006 which takes place on 6 and 7 November at the Harrogate International Centre.

Being developed is the 2007 IHEEM Wall Planner.

As IHEEM members may be aware, the Engineering Council guidelines have been amended. SARTOR is something of the past and in its place is UKSpec. Competencies have changed, academic levels have moved up a gear but the need continues for fully trained interviewers and mentors.

The IHEEM Northern Ireland Branch recently held its Conference and Exhibition at the Marine Court Hotel, Bangor – and the event was judged by participants to be a great success and extremely valuable.

Numerous important issues were closely examined at the 19th Congress of the International Federation of Hospital Engineering (IFHE) held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa, in May.

The new HTM 01 on disinfection and sterilisation will shortly be published and will be the first update of the guidance for over 10 years.