RECENT NEWS

A health centre in Belfast has been transformed following the completion of the final phase of a major construction and refurbishment programme. The Arches Centre features innovative use of Technal’s architectural aluminium systems including around 100 windows in large spans, different colour combinations and frame sizes.

Calyx, an NHScat IT approved supplier of voice and data solutions has implemented wireless technology in over 60 Gwent Healthcare hospital wards, where PC carts now enable the NHS Trust to deliver patient information at point of care.

New NHS health surgeries will become a more common sight in towns and cities across England under ambitious plans to open 125 more health centres by the end of this year.

Republished in this edition of Health Estate Journal is an article for which Paul Robbins, electro-medical services manager, technical support services, Papworth Hospital NHS Trust, has been awarded the Northcroft Silver Medal. The article is titled “Managing risk in device engineering” and was first published in the June 2005 edition of HEJ.

Efficient use of energy, care for the environment and working in a sustainable way are becoming increasingly important, and IHEEM is staging a series of seminars looking at these areas. Particular focus will be on sustainability issues.

The IHEEM London Branch recently held a well-attended meeting at which members were updated on the latest approved methods to control waterborne organisms within hospitals and other care facilities.

IHEEM has joined IFHE-Europe, the sub-group of the International Federation of Hospital Engineering.

The UK continues to be in the midst of the greatest ever investment and construction programme in new healthcare buildings, and this year’s Healthcare Estates Conference and Exhibition (Harrogate International Centre, 6-7 November) will provide fresh updates on many aspects of delivering excellence in environments for patient care.

As a professional institute, IHEEM is the relevant learned society for all those working in the health estate sector who wish to keep up to date with developing technology and changing regulations. Membership is applicable to architects, builders, engineers, estate managers, surveyors and other professionals engaged in the technical aspects of healthcare provision.

Modus, the new modular bedhead services system launched by Static Systems has already notched up significant sales success. Several contracts for the product were placed within weeks of the launch at last year’s Healthcare Estates Exhibition in Harrogate

Designed to withstand physical attacks, a new glazed security screen has been installed by Strataform at one of the country’s main hospital research laboratories in the South East of England.

According to 3M, in addition to providing public access that looks consistently smart and welcoming, entrance matting should be effective in removing and trapping dirt and moisture, be of adequate length to maximise the number of footfalls, and be easy to clean. Specifiers should also ensure that, now that Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) is in force, entrance matting complies with Government legislation.

MED'S will be introducing scroll medical air systems to the UK this summer. Accounting for almost two out of every three new medical air system installations in the United States, scroll compressors have been used to supply medical air to healthcare facilities for almost a decade.

Jaga Heating Products has unveiled what is believed to be the world’s first heating solution that works actively to prevent harmful bacteria from reproducing on its surface. Specifically designed for healthcare locations, the Maxi LST anti-microbial is believed to be the first radiator to join the fight against dangerous hospital acquired infections.

Link Lockers has announced new additions to its hospital storage range which, as with its personnel lockers, are supplied as standard with BioCote antimicrobial protection.

Royal Philips Electronics has announced that the upcoming version of its document creation platform SpeechMagic will contain unique features which optimise the accuracy, security and administration of medical document creation.

Following a significant increase in business in the past 12 months, catering specialist Rational has expanded its UK sales team.

The new Siesta Flashstreamer air purifier is claimed to be the most effective and technically advanced air purifier available.

The e-Lock wireless unlocking system from Lista AG provides hospitals with a secure storage unit that can only be accessed by authorised personnel thus making sure all files and equipment are safe and in the right hands. The system saves space and increases productivity and efficiency.

Manufacturer of medical refrigerators Lec has updated its pharmacy range to include a number of practical and innovative features. Recognising the busy environment in which the majority of pharmacy refrigerators operate in, the enhancements aim to make the range more user-friendly than ever.