Representatives from 14 countries from the total membership of 32 national organisations attended the IFHE’s Council meeting in Paris on 3 June, writes Andy Wavell, who attended on IHEEM’s behalf with fellow IHEEM Membership and International Affairs Committee representative, Ronnie Browne.
The meeting, which followed the IFHE European Conference, included a minute’s silence in memory of Eric Hoibjelke, a Norwegian IFHE delegate who had recently passed away. Concern was expressed that many IFHE member organisations had still to pay their 2011 fees. However, on a positive note, Council heard that Chile, which is forming a healthcare estates and facilities management association, is likely to seek membership next year. It was also reported that other South American countries are attempting to form appropriate associations. Much of this work had been led by Second Vice- President, Argentina’s Liliana Font. During the past year the South African Federation had mentored five trainees from East Africa, who visited South Africa for six days, attending the SAFHE Conference, and benefiting from other training opportunities. IFHE makes a 75% contribution towards the initiative, which is seen as an important part of the Federation’s “mission” to encourage a greater knowledge among those working in the healthcare profession. Council was also informed of work being undertaken in Malaysia, where the national organisation is discussing with neighbouring countries holding a joint conference. Financially, IFHE had been pleased to receive £8,255 from the International Congress held in Tokyo last November, which ran simultaneously with HOSPEX, a comprehensive three-day healthcare engineering exhibition featuring nearly 400 exhibition stands, which received an impressive 34,500 visitors. Council also heard that IFHE intends discussing with IHEEM an extension of the present Administration Agreement; it was broadly agreed that IHEEM does a good job, and there appeared no desire to change provider when the contract comes up for renewal at the end of 2011. The IFHE President, Professor Yasushi Nagasawa, also gave a brief update on life after the tsunami in Japan (see also article on his recent visit to the UK, pages 22-25, of this issue). Council voted to donate a sum of £1,500 to the tsunami relief fund. Although the IFHE has a healthy bank balance, caution was expressed, since it was suggested that five years’ administration costs needed to be held on an ongoing basis, which would commit over 50% of available funds. Council was also advised of the financial difficulties experienced in producing the IFHE Digest, with members presented with several options that would lower the production costs, and could lead to an income for IFHE. There was, however, universal approval of the standard and presentation of the Digest, and members looked forward to receiving the next edition. Council also reaffirmed its acceptance of the “international” editions of Health Estate Journal, with members viewing the magazine as an excellent way to enhance professional development. Updates were received from Norway on the 22nd International Congress, to be held on a Hurtigruten coastal steamer in April 2012, and from Argentina, which will host the 23rd International Congress in Buenos Aires in 2014. Norway has released the final daily programme for next year’s Congress, and is calling for papers, for which synopses are due by 1 September. The Netherlands, Australia, and the UK were considering bidding to host the 2016 International Congress, with the former two countries confirming strong government support. Malaysia offered, and was accepted as, the venue for the 2013 Council meeting, to be held in conjunction with a local conference. The IFHE (Europe) group updated Council on the latest Congress held in Paris, where support from local member countries had been “lacking”. It was confirmed that the next European event will be held in Berne in May 2013. In closing, the President invited all IFHE member countries to attend the next Council meeting, which will be held during the 2012 International Congress in Norway.
