The Institute’s Autumn 2011 seminar programme will again include a range of topics which both IHEEM members and non-members will find relevant and stimulating. All seminars contribute towards CPD, and a certificate is presented on completion.
Seminars scheduled over the next five months currently include:
“Facilities Management – Maintaining Compliance”
15 September 2011 – Royal Pharmaceutical Society, London; 29 September – Hilton Hotel, Bristol, and 6 October – Leeds Metropolitan University. IHEEM’s events/education manager, Siân Barker, explained: “Health, safety, and environmental legislation present many and varied challenges for premises or facilities managers. Compliance is an absolute requirement, but how can you attempt to comply if you are unaware of what you need to do to provide a safe, compliant facility? With the Corporate Manslaughter Act’s advent, there has never been a more critical time to be aware of your personal liabilities. Whether you self-deliver, sub-contract, or combine the two, you cannot pass down your duty under law. How do you know that your contractor is competent, and how can you prove that your staff are trained, competent, and familiar with the equipment and facilities they are maintaining? “This seminar will answer these key questions, utilising the skills, knowledge, and experience, of a range of industry speakers. Practical examples, tools, and information, will be provided to assist those responsible for managing healthcare premises to understand and discharge their legal duties.”
“Safe management of healthcare waste”
28 September 2011 – Beachcroft offices, Bristol. A waste seminar covering the recent update (Safe management of healthcare waste – HEJ, June 2011) to the Department of Health’s HTM07-01 guidance; the Environment Agency’s waste management regulations, and other key healthcare waste-related issues. Current waste legislation will be examined, along with a range of new civil sanctions for non-compliance. Delegates will receive advice and information on:
What healthcare organisations need to do to comply.
Enforcement notices under the new civil sanctions regime.
The Environment Agency’s new civil penalty powers.
“Enforcement undertakings”.
The difficulty of decontamination of medical instruments – “Dirty little secrets”
January 2012 – Birmingham (venue tbc). IHEEM said: “Decontamination of medical devices is a critical area. Methods vary depending on the device to be reprocessed – from the use of chemical products to the ‘traditional’ deployment of steam, plus new, emerging technologies. Funding constraints often govern both the standard of decontamination, and of the devices used. Quality and service are often compromised, and there have been instances where instruments are not up to the required standard. “This seminar will encourage debate on some of the problems experienced by healthcare providers striving to achieve the required high standards of decontamination within the current financial climate. “Medical device quality, endoscopy, dentistry/community applications, water quality, and the ability to clean instruments properly, all present major challenges. The seminar will look to uncover some of the ‘hidden concerns’ that, if not properly addressed, may present significant risks to patients.”
Future events
IHEEM is keen to hear from HEJ readers on what topics they would like to see addressed at future seminars, and from those keen to offer their expertise, knowledge, and skills, in any particular area, as a speaker.
See also the carrier sheet of this issue. For further details on the seminars, including the full timetable, venues, and prices, visit: www.iheem.org.uk/Events, or contact Siân Barker. T: 023 9282 3186; Email: sian.barker@iheem.org.uk The latest IHEEM news is also available via the Institute’s RSS Feed, “Twitter”, and “Linked In”. Those booking seminar places early will receive a free IHEEM bag on the day; see individual event listing on the Institute’s website for terms and conditions.
