FEATURE ARTICLES

With its striking design incorporating the needs of young patients and their families, the new Evelina Children’s Hospital in London has been described as “a hospital unlike any other”. Health Estate Journal reports.

The use of colour in the healthcare built environment to optimise patient outcomes is hugely important – and has been emphasised for many years. For this Health Estate Journal ‘Then and now’ feature focusing on the subject of colour, Nicholas Marshall provides an introduction to an article which was published in July 1950 in The Hospital Engineer, the official journal of The Institution of Hospital Engineers (now IHEEM). The 1950 article was formed from a talk given to the Institution by A.R. Barlow Esq and has been slightly amended for publication in HEJ.

Laura Bayliss, lighting designer with BDP Lighting, questions the quantitative approach to lighting for healthcare – and makes the case for creative lighting design. This article was originally published in the Institution of Lighting Engineers’ The Lighting Journal in summer 2005, after winning the ILE-sponsored “Best Written Paper” in the 2005 Young Lighters Awards.

By fostering teamwork and promoting transparent and efficient ways of working, the ProCure21 scheme is helping to change the healthcare environment for the better, according to Mike Douglas, director and chairman and Amrit Naru, healthcare team leader, Netts Architects.

Risk of explosion and fire in operating theatres used to be significant. For this Health Estate Journal ‘Then and now’ feature, Mike Arrowsmith BSc (Hons) CEng FIMechE FIHEEM, technical editor, provides commentary on an article which was published in December 1945 in the second issue of The Hospital Engineer, a publication – then taking the form of a newsletter – of The Institution of Hospital Engineers. The 1945 article was formed from a short paper read at an Institution branch meeting, and a slightly amended version of the article text follows the commentary.

Jason Rayfield explores the implications of the increasing use of private sector funding, risk management, competition principles and expertise for NHS healthcare delivery.

Commanding increased attention are issues relating to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in the workplace and a new EC Directive. Technical report by Dr Didier Bozec DUT (France) BSc (Hons) PhD MIEE MIEEE MIHEEM, laboratory manager, York EMC Services; and Dr Mark Tyndall MPhys (Hons) PhD, engineer, York EMC Services.

IHEEM is emphasising the importance of its activities that support the design, construction, maintenance and operation of healthcare buildings. This article conveys messages that the Institute is delivering to Government and senior executives in the health sector.

Is short-term thinking still preventing UK hospitals from procuring surgical facilities that could offer greater flexibility and improved patient outcomes over time? Modular theatre supplier Maquet thinks so.

Jason Rayfield reports from the Seventh Annual Infection Control Nurses Association Conference, where education, surveillance and the threat posed by emerging bacterial strains were high on the discussion agenda.

Advice for facilities managers considering the removal of ligature points to reduce the risk of patient suicide and self-harm is provided by Laidlaw Solutions.

To help reduce the large number of accidents and MRSA infections that arise in the NHS annually, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has launched a training course for all healthcare staff. Health Estate Journal reports

The clinical consequences of pulse oximeter sensor error are discussed by Dr Geoff Mathews BSc (Hons) PhD, managing director of The Electrode Company.

The airwaves bring Nicholas Marshall thoughts on the direction that design of healthcare premises should be taking.

Is short-term thinking still preventing UK hospitals from procuring surgical facilities that could offer greater flexibility and improved patient outcomes over time? Modular theatre supplier Maquet thinks so.

Gary Sowerby Eur.Ing. C.Eng. M.E.I., who runs JGS Associates and is the author of the Process Steam Guide, provides an in-depth analysis of steam distribution system problems and solutions.

IHEEM’s Healthcare Estates Conference, held at Harrogate in November 2005, clearly underlined how architects, designers, constructors, engineers, and estate and facility managers need to work cohesively to ensure healthcare premises are fully safe and fit for function – both now and in the long term. Nicholas Marshall and Jason Rayfield report.

The role of robotic sample processing in the modernisation of pathology services at Manchester Royal Infirmary is described by Peter Jones, centralised in vitro diagnostics market manager at Roche Diagnostics. Stemming from the modernisation are valuable pointers for managers of facilities and designers of healthcare premises.

Angela Vessey, director of the Copper Development Association, describes how the natural properties of copper and copper alloys can play a significant role in cross-infection avoidance.

Dr David Moon, head of procurement for the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), outlines how materials with higher recycled content can be economically sustainable, technically viable and easily available for construction projects in the healthcare sector.