RECENT NEWS

IHEEM’s 2007 Healthcare Estates Conference and Exhibition, staged in Harrogate on 16 and 17 October, was a resounding success according to visitor and exhibitor feedback received at the Institute’s stand at the show.

Introduced in 1992, the Engineering Doctorate (EngD) has been something of a “Cinderella” qualification, its true worth never fully appreciated by the profession as a whole. This may change after a recent review of the EngD programme concluded that this work-based, postgraduate award has brought significant benefits to a wide range of companies and industrial sectors.

Almost unnoticed by the engineering profession, the Government is attempting to redefine the term “professional engineer” in a way that will ultimately help no one, apart from this country’s international competitors, ECUK says.

Medical lighting specialist Brandon Medical has won Phase 3 of the contract to equip University College London Hospital (UCLH) with its range of examination lamps. In addition to Brandon’s Astralites and range of medical room lighting, UCLH ordered and installed a significant amount of Coolview ceiling-mounted lights.

The air conditioning company Daikin UK has introduced a range of floor standing and wall mounted air conditioning systems, specifically designed to offer facilities managers in the health industry a visually striking and highly energy efficient solution for their premises.

Crown Computing has been selected by the Carillion Group to provide and implement its Open Options Time and Attendance and Workforce Scheduling solution throughout the company, starting within the facilities management functions of Carillion Health’s nine NHS Trust hospitals around the UK.

A buyers’ and specifiers’ guide to self testing fire safety signs has been published by the P4 Lumasign division of UK specialist emergency lighting manufacturer P4. Lumasign merged with P4 in early 2007.

Develop Training will be offering the updated 17th Edition Wiring Regulations Course in the New Year.

Lifschutz Davidson Sandiland’s planning application for a 166 unit “care village” has won a resolution to grant permission from the London Borough of Hounslow.

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.