Currently being distributed is the eagerly awaited conference programme for the Healthcare Estates Conference and Exhibition 2006 which takes place on 6 and 7 November at the Harrogate International Centre.
This year’s conference programme is the most wide ranging in the event’s history. Put together by a broad-based panel of experts involved in estate management on a daily basis, it offers delegates from all sectors of healthcare facilities management a unique opportunity to hear about the latest developments.
The Healthcare Estates Conference has become a must-attend event for those involved in the construction, development and management of healthcare facilities in the UK. This year’s event comes at a time of unprecedented change, with professionals facing the monumental task of making the Government’s ambitious plans for the country’s healthcare facilities a reality.
The Healthcare Estates Exhibition this year will be the largest to date. There will be over 200 key suppliers offering the latest products, services and equipment.
To view the current exhibitor list, including details of specific products or services exhibitors will be featuring, register on www.healthcare-estates.com and receive a free exhibition pass.
Continuing the trend of previous years, leading agencies and other organisations will be running specialist seminars and symposia over the two days. These sessions provide chances to debate the major issues facing particular professional groups and market sectors in lively, interactive forums.
This year, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is to be involved in Healthcare Estates for the first time. RIBA will be running two seminars looking at the design and development of major capital projects, and specialist projects within healthcare.
These seminars, which take place on 7 November, will give a clear view of the latest thinking in the design of buildings, wards, operating theatres and other areas. Provided will be information on the benefits of using a RIBA Client Design Advisor (CDA).
The FM Information Village run in conjunction with the Healthcare Facilities Consortium (HFC) will stage a one-day symposium themed “Making the most of information in healthcare estate/facility management”. The seminar will take place on 6 November.
Utilising information correctly is key to making a healthcare facility run effectively and efficiently, and the symposium is designed to be of significant assistance. It will update individuals’ knowledge of information technology and suggest ways of maximising IT benefits.
Currently, the symposium is scheduled to cover:
Information for PFI.
Sustainability.
Making the most of investment in FM information systems.
Managing all information electronically.
Disaster recovery information management. Business critical information maintenance.
Benefiting from NHS UK PLC.
Trusts need to take advantages of opportunities to share best practice.
Assessing and choosing FM information systems.
Furthermore, the symposium will feature an “Ask the panel” session during which leading experts in the information sector can be questioned. Key issues and specific projects can be discussed in an open forum.
A special seminar on “Procurement Hubs – the future of procurement for the NHS?” will be presented in conjunction with the Purchasing and Supply Agency NHS (PASA). Examined will be the policy and practical issues involved in developing a Procurement Hub.
Collaborative Procurement Hubs are part of the Supply Chain Excellence Programme supported by the DoH and PASA. There are currently three “pathfinder” Hubs – within three years there could potentially be as many as 10 in operation. They have been championed as a significant step change in achieving increased savings for constituent Trusts, further developing clinical governance and sharpening procurement focus.
In this seminar, PASA and the existing hubs will present “the story so far”, highlighting the successes, problems and lessons to be learned. To complement the conference, over 30 Healthcare Showcase commercial technical seminars are planned.
Presented by exhibitors, these sessions will offer opportunities to learn about new products and services and how they can be used in a healthcare environment. The seminars will also be ideal forums for discussing specific issues, problems and queries with suppliers.
As described above, this year’s Healthcare Estates Conference and Exhibition is packed with relevant content – more details about the event can be accessed at www.healthcareestates. com
Early booking discounts are still available.
