Addressing disconnects, broadening training

In this article I plan to focus on the challenges facing medical gas pipeline supplies, exposing some stark realities about the way training in this critical hospital support service is viewed today in the health service, and highlighting a number of key themes. My views on medical gas training sometimes oppose conventional approaches, and also raise the case for greater involvement from areas outside ‘Estates’, and a closer partnership between Pharmacy and the nursing teams.

During the past few years – while delivering medical gases training and undertaking a number of significant compliance and safety audits – I’ve met many healthcare professionals across a number of different roles, encompassing Authorised Persons (engineers); Competent Persons; porters; nurses, and Board members. Several common themes have arisen – some anticipated, while others have emerged unexpectedly. My knowledge and experiences have now led me to adopt a different approach in the training I deliver, reflecting not just what I have discovered within the UK, but equally across a much wider international audience, and certainly with the emphasis on patient and staff safety remaining at the centre of everyone’s focus.

Key issues apparent