Member representatives from every state of Australia, together with a large number of corporate sponsors and supporters of the healthcare engineering industry, attended the Institute of Hospital Engineering, Australia (IHEA)’s Annual National Conference at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Hobart, Tasmania, over four days during early October last year.
The Conference theme was ‘Back to Basics’, with a focus on identifying the core functions of the healthcare facilities manager in his or her role of supporting quality health outcomes in a complex, diverse setting, while facing the challenges of funding cuts and energy consumption reduction targets amid challenging political and financial times. There were numerous high quality technical presentations from members, supported by industry experts, and an excellent trade display showcasing healthcare and building technologies. The social events gave wives and partners travelling with delegates to Australia’s delightful southern island state the chance to explore some of the modern and historical parts of Hobart and its surrounds, including Australia’s longest continuously operating beer-maker, Cascade Brewery, and one of the largest Australian private art collections – at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), where the gala dinner was held. The national Board held two meetings in conjunction with the gathering, at which a new Board was formed, and portfolios allocated to the new and existing delegates. The Board has representation from every state branch, and the National President, Mitch Cadden, presided. The IHEA’s 2013 annual conference, hosted by the New South Wales branch in Sydney, will take place from 9-12 October at the Sheraton in the Park, Sydney.
