RECENT NEWS

As the estates management needs of Trusts change and develop, the role of the helpdesk and management system within estates departments grows ever more vital. And a single system capable of covering multiple services (for example portering, gardening and catering) in addition to estates defect works and planned maintenance is often desirable. According to Bob Harse, development director at system supplier Gramms, using the latest technology can help the modern estates department maximise productivity.

To help builders, contractors and specifiers ensure that all commercial and public buildings satisfy the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and Building Regulations Pt.M:2004, Reading-based Kee Klamp has introduced a new range of galvanised iron fittings.

A new air filter that is said to be unique due to a “memory” and self-supporting media, has been launched by Northumberland-based manufacturer AAF Air Filters.

A completely revised edition of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) guide to natural ventilation in buildings is now available. The publication brings together the latest guidance and research on the subject and provides an expert guide as to how natural ventilation can best be incorporated into buildings. Aimed mainly at building services engineers and designers, the guide will also be useful to facilities and building managers who want background information on the subject.

Altro Imprint safety flooring offers stunning design elements without forcing any compromise on practical features. Imprint is perfect for use in general circulation and front of house areas where aesthetic qualities are as highly sought after as underfoot safety.

Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust in London has deployed the Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway appliance to eliminate spam across its 5,500 email users. As a result of deploying the Proofpoint appliance, employees are now protected from unsolicited and offensive spam messages and Hammersmith has a reliable, flexible solution in place as future messaging security threats arise. The Proofpoint appliance was purchased through London-based channel partner Data Integration, which provided installation and technical support for this deployment.

For his article titled ‘Questioning oxygen flow rate guidance’, published in the August 2004 issue of Health Estate Journal, Stuart Ward of Guangdong Province, China, has been awarded the Northcroft Silver Medal.

The 2005 Healthcare Estates Conference, organised by IHEEM, will develop the themes covered in the 2004 conference and will look ahead to what the future holds. Papers on proposed conference themes are now invited from all professionals working in the field of healthcare engineering, design and construction, and estates and facilities management.

Designed to give the professional healthcare market the best light in its category, Luxo’s AIM-100 has advanced optical and mechanical solutions which provide the best working environment for efficient, comfortable and safe procedures. Built in features are shadow reduction, light distribution, spot appearance, intensity and focusing and the flexibility of positioning the luminaire exactly where it is needed.

High specification, engineering quality and competitive price are key factors influencing the decision made by Halifax General, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and Coventry New Hospitals to invest time and money in air cooled single screw chillers operating with the environment friendly refrigerant R134a. Since its introduction in 2001, over 1,000 screw chillers with R134a refrigerant have been manufactured, installed and commissioned by McQuay International.

Kohler Mira has launched the Rada Autotherm-3 BSM, the UK’s first fully approved TMV3 bath shower mixer; a genuine innovation to comply with DO8 healthcare specifications. The product has achieved TMV3 approval in both high pressure and low pressure bath and bath / shower categories – an industry first.

In the fight to help eliminate hospital acquired infections (HAIs), and the general spread of disease carrying organisms through cross infection, white moulded electrical lighting and power accessories from Crabtree can now be supplied with BioCote advanced surface hygiene protection.

Static Systems Group has been awarded the contract for the supply and installation of a nurse call system at the Good Hope Hospital, Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands. The project, designed by Nightingale Associates, involves the provision of the company’s Codemlon-Call nurse call system and System 220 bedhead services trunking into the new treatment centre.

Emerson Network Power has extended its Himod series of high performance air conditioners available under the Liebert Hiross brand with the introduction of Himod M. Designed for all environments requiring high dissipation of sensitive heat, the series will soon be completed with the introduction of Himod L. With cooling capacities between 25 and 80 kW, the Himod M is ideal for a range of applications including hospitals.

Advanced surface protection specialist, BioCote has entered a technology partnership to provide hygienic protection for specialist papers and boards manufactured by James Cropper Specialist Papers. These materials are suitable for the production of stationery, case notes, general literature and packaging, and will be of particular interest to companies supplying paper and board-based products for use in the medical and healthcare markets.

JS Air Curtains has launched a new air curtain that is ideal for hospitals and healthcare premises due to its attractive design and flexible control options. The Standesse air curtain enhances patient and staff comfort in the winter, whilst reducing heating bills by allowing a hospital to leave its doors invitingly open without letting valuable heat escape.

The Chemical Biological Radiation Nuclear (CBRN) Division of Union Industries has introduced a new specialised infection control system for hospitals. The IsoArk intensive care isolation tent and the BioSafe 300 air filtration unit have been introduced as portable retrofit solutions to deal with the care of patients with contagious diseases.

Catering staff at Hull Royal Infirmary have revamped the menus for the children’s wards in an effort to tackle the city’s increasing child obesity problem and encourage children to eat more fruit and vegetables. Staff believe they are perfectly placed to plug the healthy eating message while youngsters are in hospital, and are essentially a captive audience.

SGB has acquired full ownership of its Mastclimbers joint venture partnership. The company acquired a majority shareholding in Mastclimbers in 2001, growing it from a regional base in Scotland into a national supplier serving the broader UK market. Today, Mastclimbers operates the UK’s largest fleet of rental platforms, with services that extend from project feasibility and design to site erection and dismantling.

By delivering natural daylight to all areas of a building, Monodraught SunPipes make a major contribution to the reduction of energy consumption in new build and refurbishment healthcare facilities.