FEATURE ARTICLES

The nominees have been announced for the twelve categories for the Healthcare Estates IHEEM Awards 2026. This year, a panel of judges reviewed and scored hundreds of entries to arrive at an impressive shortlist.

Hygiene, safety, and ergonomics are fundamental requirements of any healthcare mixer. DELABIE | DVS’ SECURITHERM EP pressure-balancing mixer (2447LEPUK) offers an engineered solution to deliver these three essential elements.

Healthcare engineers, estates managers and professionals from a broad range of supporting sectors will be attending IHEEM’s flagship event Healthcare Estates 2026 on 13-14 October to discuss the many challenges facing the NHS estate and to consider how best to bring about real action and change.

Darryl Gregory of Distech Controls explains why retrofitting should be seen as a key part of a strategic approach to future-proofing healthcare estates.

A substantial proportion of AI initiatives fail to deliver a measurable return. Sathiyan Kutty of Emids examines the factors that have widened this ‘ROI gap’.

John Gahan of eEnergy argues that the scale of the decarbonisation challenge facing the NHS means it must look to practical private sector models.

Jørn Terkelsen of Dolphin Care looks at whether infection prevention strategies are addressing all relevant pathways of contamination within clinical environments.

NHS Trusts still have much to do in order to meet Net Zero targets, as Ortus Energy’s Ian Johnson explains.

Blanca Beato Arribas, Ryan Elliott, and Andy Vernon of Hoare Lea explore how a risk-led approach can support better decision-making and reduce long-term risk.

Amy Norman, Charles Rothnie, and Ben Gillham of Perega discuss the challenges that the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) mandate have for operationalising ecological thinking.

Barry Paterson of Germicidal UV Ltd explores how clean air delivery and supplementary air cleaning can help mitigate shared air risk.

Geoff Halliday, business consultant at Rehlko (formerly WB Power Services Ltd), discusses the continuing role of diesel generators, the challenges that stem from an ever-evolving regulatory environment, and how modular critical power trains can help optimise performance, reduce risk, and align with decarbonisation goals.

Ayrton Byng of Brymec argues that the halving of the acceptable lead limit in water risks becoming a major compliance issue for healthcare estates.

Jamie Brewster, architect at MJ Medical, is on a personal mission to understand and improve patients’ experience of clinical isolation.

Owen Ransford Rowe, director of business development at CBRE Global Workplace Solutions, offers a practical reflection on where outsourced hard FM genuinely supports the community healthcare agenda, where it can create risk, and what needs to be in place if it is to play a constructive role over the next decade.

Dame Laura Lee, chief executive at cancer charity Maggie’s, and Craig Chandler, project manager at Sir Robert McAlpine, reflect on how the built environment can influence patient wellbeing, complement clinical care, and respond to the emotional and practical needs of those affected by life-changing diagnoses.

Morgan Sindall Construction’s Jonathan Stead discusses the company’s approach to a new generation of CDCs

Claire Colgan, director and cost centre lead, UK Real Estate Advisory Cost Centre at Turner & Townsend, looks at how the NHS 10 Year plan is driving system transformation across estates, service models, and clinical priorities.

Eastwood Park continues to lead the way in delivering certificated, specialist heating and ventilation training tailored for healthcare estates professionals. Set within a 200-acre Gloucestershire estate, Eastwood Park’s purpose-built training centre offers one of the UK’s most comprehensive HVAC training facilities.

The NHS may be on the brink of a fundamental rethink of its estate, not just as infrastructure to maintain, but as a strategic asset that can improve outcomes and reduce costs. Tim Chell, health sector and regional director at BAM UK & Ireland, looks at the role NHS buildings have to play in unlocking cost savings that can be reinvested directly into patient care.