Key communications forum re-established

Reinvigorated with the help of IHEEM’s head office, which held an online meeting on 17 February to bring together key participants, the DPECF’s key purpose is to act as a forum to influence policy and practice in the decontamination of medical devices across the UK via the various Institutes and professional body members involved. Dr Jimmy Walker, Chair of the CSC, also provides an update on the Club’s recent activity

In February this year (reports Graham Stanton), we re-established the Decontamination Professional Expert Communications Forum (DPECF), with the firm aim of placing it ‘under the umbrella’ of the Central Sterilising Club for support and membership. By way of background for those unfamiliar with the DPECF, representatives of the devolved administrations and decontamination Institutes used, historically, to meet with the Department of Health in London at regular intervals to report on our performance and any issues. Then, in 2010, the DH decided these meetings were no longer required, and cut links for sharing information and advice to the service across the UK. At this point, a few of us in various Institutes who attended those meetings decided to try and form a forum for communication and keep channels open between the various groups with an interest in decontamination. This is how DPECF initial meetings started – with a few of us agreeing to meet and set up this group. I was one of the group’s founder members, and was nominated by IHEEM to represent it at the DPECF.

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