The annual gathering of like-minded individuals within healthcare engineering and estate management is nearly upon us once again, and I urge you to invest your time to attend IHEEM’s flagship event.
With so many changes having occurred within healthcare, and more in the pipeline, do please join your fellow professionals in Manchester (from 8-9 October) to listen to key speakers, meet sector leaders, network with colleagues, and see what new and emerging tools, techniques, and technologies, are available to help you meet current challenges. The Institute has been working hard with Step, our partners, to compile an impressive and comprehensive conference programme (see pages 88-89), exhibition, and additional activities, to ensure that all attendees can gain a valuable insight into likely future challenges. We have listened to previous years’ feedback, and there are distinct streams to this year’s Conference over the two days, which include Engineering, Research & Development, Energy, Design & Construction, Estates & Facilities Management, plus others; see www.healthcare-estates.com for the latest details. This year’s theme is ‘Putting positive energy into Healthcare’, and so strong is the event’s reputation that we have been able to attract senior figures from the NHS, respected academics, and industry leaders, all keen to share their experiences, views, and opinions, with delegates. Combine this with an exciting exhibitor array, and experts showcasing their ideas, innovations, and experiences, and Manchester will again be the focal point for the industry in 2013. This theme has been carried through to the Annual Dinner, where a truly motivational speaker is lined up. With the success of the Product Showcases on the exhibition floor last year, 2013 will see dedicated theatres covering Sustainability, Architects and Contractors, Energy, plus an HEJ New Products theatre. Many of the sessions will be CPDaccredited, providing the chance to see, first hand, all that is new in healthcare estates and engineering. We are also trialling a new concept for estates directors entitled ‘The Worry Pit’ – an interactive opportunity to share concerns around the continued delivery of estates and facilities services in the current challenging environment. There will also be opportunities to discuss membership and registration with IHEEM staff, and to attend the Institute’s AGM, on the evening of Day One. In summary, Healthcare Estates is the place to be this autumn. Reserve the dates in your diary, and book your place. I look forward to welcoming you.
Greg Markham President, IHEEM
