The Healthcare Estates conference, exhibition, and dinner, will be organised by the Step Group in 2013; Step has organised the exhibition for the past 11 years (and the conference for many of these), resulting in the ‘flagship’ IHEEM event becoming established as the premier show for the UK healthcare estates community.
Last year (HEJ – November 2012) saw a continued increase in attendance at Healthcare Estates, with an overall audience of 2,758 individuals, who were able to network with 170 exhibiting companies showcasing many of the products, services, and technologies, that enable healthcare facilities to function smoothly day-to-day. Making up the attendance were 429 healthcare professionals who attended the annual conference, a record number of exhibition visitors, and guests at the IHEEM dinner and awards, bolstered by 200 NHS ‘VIPs’ representing many of the UK’s leading hospital Trusts. In 2013 the Step Group (which includes Step Communications, publishers of HEJ), will be focusing on incorporating features to build on last year’s success. Healthcare Estates 2013 will take place from 8-9 October at Manchester Central, and will include an exhibition with ‘sector-focused’ theatres, run in conjunction with the IHEEM conference and dinner.
Seamless organisation
Julian Amey, IHEEM’s chief executive, said: “IHEEM is delighted to confirm Step as our partner for the 2013 Healthcare Estates conference, exhibition, and dinner. Our appointment of Step will allow the event to become truly integrated, with the conference and exhibition running seamlessly. Step has organised the exhibition for the past 11 years, growing the event to what is now regarded as the premier exhibition and conference for healthcare estates managers and engineers, facilities and maintenance personnel, and contractors. With Step responsible for all the key areas, this will allow us to organise a truly holistic event around the highly respected IHEEM conference, with the Healthcare Estates conference, exhibition, and dinner, offering a compelling two days of high-level content.”
Outline programme
The outline programme will be announced in April, while Step will unveil ‘further details on the positive impact for exhibitors’ next month. Steve Webb, show director, said: “We plan to increase the number of streams available at the event, with dedicated content on:
• Engineering,
• Facilities management.
• Estate management and rationalisation.
• Architecture, design, property, and maintenance.
• Financial management.
• Renewable technologies.
• Carbon reduction.
“We will work closely with our event supporters, each of whom provide intelligence and access to key speakers, ensuring that content is timely and relevant. In 2013 we will be working with Architects for Health, BRE, The Design in Mental Health Network, The Design Council CABE, the Healthcare Facilities Consortium, the Medical Gas Association, the National Association of Healthcare Fire Officers, ProCure21+, The King’s Fund, LIFT, and the Carbon and Energy Fund.”
Major suppliers returning
Healthcare Estates will also see a number of manufacturers and suppliers returning to the show, joining existing ‘big names’ including Pick Everard, Reliance Water Controls, British Gas, Dalkia, Draeger Medical, Spirax Sarco, P4, DFX Technology, IBI Taylor Young, AFL, Assa Abloy, Blucher UK, and New Vision. One of these is P4 FASTEL, whose business development manager, Matthew Stringer, said: “P4 FASTEL, dedicated since 1989 solely to the design and manufacture of high performance, cost and energyefficient emergency lighting products to the health sector, will showcase a new range of fully addressable emergency lighting systems, the new FASTEL Wireless emergency lighting system, and additions to our stylish exit signage range. The emphasis, as ever, will be on quality, value, reliability, full compliance, and unrivalled customer service.” Dr Randall Bowen, head of Energy Performance at British Gas, meanwhile, said: “We are delighted to confirm our commitment to healthcare by once again supporting Healthcare Estates in October. We recognise that energy reduction and sustainability are becoming key areas of focus for health boards and Trusts across the UK. Working together we can deliver guaranteed long-term energy savings, as well as permanent reductions in carbon emissions.” Julian Colaco, development manager at ProCure21+, added: “ProCure21+ is a framework agreement with six Supply Chains (PSCPs) selected via an OJEU Tender process for capital investment construction schemes across England up to 2016. We are a long-term Healthcare Estates exhibitor, and continue to recognise the importance of the exhibition and conference. The event provides a great forum for our PSCPs to engage with industry colleagues.”
Further developments
Further developments should be announced in the spring, with special delegate and VIP packages offered to previous attendees, selected healthcare employees, IHEEM members, and exhibitor guests. In addition to considering the continuing chronic backlog of repairs in hospital buildings (see pages 5-6, HEJ January 2013), Healthcare Estates 2013 will focus on sustainability within healthcare. Steve Webb said: “As one of the world’s largest employers, the NHS has a corporate social responsibility to increase sustainability and reduce carbon emissions. By 2007 the carbon footprint for NHS England had risen to 21 million tonnes per year – larger than that of some medium-sized countries, and representing a rise of three million tonnes since the previous footprint was calculated (NHS SDU, 2010). This rise is partly due to growth in NHS services, and partly because – in line with the 2008 Climate Change Act and 2009 Defra greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting conventions – other greenhouse gases are now included in the calculations as well as carbon dioxide.
Sustainable actions
“Sustainable actions should underpin all aspects of NHS Trust service delivery and development. The NHS is committed to providing both best value for taxpayers, and ‘the most effective, fair and sustainable use of finite resources’ (NHS Constitution 2010: sixth key principle).” The Department of Health’s Sustainable Development Strategy was originally published in October 2008. Key areas for sustainable development are identified as, and targets stated for: procurement, food, energy consumption, transport, buildings, ‘natural environment’, waste, and water.
New strategy in the spotlight
Steve Webb said: “This year’s event will look at the new Sustainable Development Strategy for the Health and Care System 2014, to be launched next January, and covering the period 2014 to 2020. Targeted not just at the NHS, but rather embracing the whole health, public health, and social care system, it will define where we need to be on the path to sustainable healthcare by 2020. “Importantly, it builds on the NHS Carbon Reduction Strategy (CRS), and outlines other practical steps that need to be taken in priority areas to move the health system onwards in the journey towards sustainable healthcare delivery.” This key area will form a major part of the discussions in October, with one of this year’s features linked to sustainability being developed with the Carbon and Energy Fund, which will host a one-day event in a new ‘Energy Theatre’. Other key areas will include the Contractors’ & Architects’ zone, and the Estate Management & Consultants area, in addition to the New Product Showcase feature successfully run in 2011 and 2012. Steve Webb adds: “The 2013 show theme will be announced this month at a press launch following feedback from our recent Advisory Board meeting held at Trend Control Systems’ Horsham offices. For more information on Healthcare Estates 2013, including exhibitor rates and visiting details, contact the event team. T: +44 (0)1892 518877. Email: healthcare@stepex.com, or visit: www.healthcare-estates.com or www.iheem.org.uk
