FEATURE ARTICLES

Dr K.C. Lam, of the Department of Building Services Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, emphasises the importance of extremely thorough briefings early in the design process.

This Health Estate Journal 'Then and now' feature describes thoughts from over 50 years ago on the importance of anti-infection precautions. A brief introduction is followed by a slightly edited version of part one of paper by A.F. Dence MA (Oxon), which was published in the January 1950 edition of The Hospital Engineer (the official journal of the Institution of Hospital Engineers, now IHEEM). The second part of the paper, which appeared in the April 1950 edition of The Hospital Engineer, will be republished, with minor alterations, in the February 2007 issue of Health Estate Journal.

Special report from the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM).

The Government has unveiled a vision for emergency care that transforms the way A&E services are delivered in England. Provision of new style departments will introduce significant extra challenges for those having estates and facilities responsibilities. Health Estate Journal examines the vision in depth.

Clear at IHEEM's recently held multiple-track annual conference was how the workload of those providing and managing healthcare estate continues to grow. Nicholas Marshall and Lesley Adair report on numerous important pointers put forward for these professionals.

Precision bearings and a novel direct drive system have been developed for the latest CT scanners, helping to cut noise levels by 50% and enabling faster examination times.

Paul Lakra of Planer explains his personal experience of using the company's Assure24seven monitoring system to cut the firm's heating bills.

A modular construction approach was used to create a cardiac-catheter unit in Surrey.

Wireless communication is not a new concept, but developments in the technology can lead to problems of implementation and other difficulties. However, help is at hand - Ascom Wireless Solutions offers some basic guidance and dispels the myths.

The 2006 Institute of Decontamination Sciences Conference in Scotland played host to 200 delegates and covered a wide range of topics, from compliance standards to endoscopy services. Report by Kate Woodhead RGN DMS, independent operating theatre consultant.