“Many members will already be aware that Professor David Hurrell lost his brave fight against Leukaemia and passed away last November,” writes IHEEM recruitment and membership manager, Chris Parker.
He adds: “Professor Hurrell was known to many in the industry through his work initially with the Department of Health’s Scientific and Technical Branch, where he played a major role in creating the basic UK standards for sterilising equipment. From this time, he was keenly involved in standards work, and became recognised for his knowledge on matters relating to decontamination of medical devices throughout Europe and the rest of the world. “On leaving the DH, he formed Healthcare Science, a company which offered expert microbiological consultancy and laboratory services, as well as providing valuable education and training courses for Authorised Steriliser Engineers, now AE (D)s. It is through HSL that many IHEEM members will have encountered Professor Hurrell through their participation in his Advanced Course in Steriliser Technology (ACIST). “Late in his life, he was awarded an Honorary Professorship of Decontamination Sciences by the University of the Highlands and Islands, in recognition of his work in facilitating a Master’s programme for the decontamination of reusable medical devices. He will be remembered by those who knew him as a most remarkable person, with a brilliant sense of humour, and an incredible capacity and skill as an orator, as well as as a man of great knowledge and scientific expertise.”
