IHEEM will hold technical seminars on decontamination, infection and pest control, and water quality, over the next few months, including one in Birmingham next month (there is still time to book).
Alongside encouraging healthcare estates and facilities personnel to attend and thus enhance their knowledge and expertise, is offering Company Affiliate Members with products, expertise, and experience in these fields a chance to raise their profiles.
Events and education manager, Siân Barker, explains: “The supporter package we are introducing will include a delegate place, an A4 sheet or leaflet as an insert in the delegate pack, an opportunity to display limited products or literature, a chance to join in the debate, and to network with the delegates and speakers throughout the day. There will also be follow-up articles in Health Estate Journal after each event, in which supporters will be listed (HEJ has a full circulation of nearly 5,000).” Seminars currently planned include: Decontamination of Medical Instruments – ‘Dirty Little Secrets’ 9 February 2012 – Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel, Birmingham. This seminar, for which places are still available, will address the key issues for healthcare providers striving to achieve the required high standards of decontamination against a tough financial backdrop. Siân Barker says: “It will look to uncover some of the ‘hidden’ concerns that may present major risks to the patient. IHEEM has gathered together a bank of expert speakers, and we will be encouraging interaction from the delegates. We would encourage potential attendees to book as soon as possible, as places are limited.” Speakers will include:
• Brian Kirk, technical and professional services (senior), 3M;
• Dr Jimmy Walker, principal investigator, Decontamination, Health Protection Agency;
• Tom Brophy, lead medical engineering technologist, Barts and the London NHS Trust;
• Daniel McAlonan, head of Health & Safety, British Dental Association. The delegate fee, which covers papers, refreshments, and lunch, will be £195 + VAT for IHEEM members, and £245 + VAT for non-IHEEM members.
Infection Control & Pest Control – ‘The Uninvited Guests!’
1 March 2012 – The Rose Bowl, Leeds. 14 March 2012 – Birmingham Hilton Metropole Hotel, Birmingham. IHEEM says: “Patients and visitors attending healthcare premises should rightly expect that their treatment and care will be provided in suitable, clean surroundings, free from infection risk, and without having to worry about pest infestation in the buildings in which they are accommodated. “Pest control management remains a very challenging service performance area for ‘Nominated Officers’ to address. Bedbugs, ants, rodents, exotic insects, pigeons etc., are all typical pests that have become more established in some parts of the UK, and are routinely detected in and around many public buildings. The requirement to collect and segregate waste on hospital sites for subsequent processing may increase infestation risk. “Whether you are an estates professional, facilities manager, or infection control specialist, it is vital to keep up-to-date with the latest legal requirements, potential problems, and solutions, available.”
Confirmed speakers/speaker organisations to date include:
• Roger Hart – Formerly an independent consultant who served Sheffield, Chesterfield, and Leeds hospitals as an audit consultant/advisor;
• Gwen Walker – Infection control specialist, Solutions-42;
• Clive Boase – The Pest Management Consultancy;
• David Firth – partner, Capsticks. The Institute also hopes to confirm a Department of Health speaker shortly.
Water Quality – ‘The Invisible Threat’ 12 June 2012 – London. 14 June 2012 – Leeds. These seminars will examine ways to minimise the presence of Legionella and other waterborne diseases, exploring water hygiene issues, competing and antagonistic risks such as scalding, environmental impact, and various other water management and impact reduction issues. IHEEM member, David Harper, an expert on Legionella, waterborne contamination prevention, and emergency response, will speak, and is assisting with the development of the seminar programme. Further details will follow soon. Siân Barker adds: “Please let us know what topics you would like to see addressed at future IHEEM seminars, or if you would like to offer your knowledge or skills to support one of our events.”
For more information on all IHEEM’s events, including details on supporter packages, contact Siân Barker. T: 02392 823186, or e-mail: sian.barker@iheem.org.uk
