RECENT NEWS

For his article titled ‘Questioning oxygen flow rate guidance’, published in the August 2004 issue of Health Estate Journal, Stuart Ward of Guangdong Province, China, has been awarded the Northcroft Silver Medal.

Two presentation days were recently arranged for factory visits to thermostatic valve manufacturer Horne Engineering by delegations from the East Midlands Branch of IHEEM.

One of the ongoing aims of the Institute is to improve communication with its members. The IHEEM website at www.iheem.org.uk is packed full of information including all the latest event, branch and industry news. Planning your diary for the next six months? Then go to your dedicated branch pages where you will find all the latest information about forthcoming local events as well as contact details for the branch committee members. Been asked to find the contact details of your local Authorised Person (Steriliser)? Then go to the Authorising Engineers section where you will find a complete list.

Minutes of the 38th Annual General Meeting held at the Blakemore Hotel, 30 Leinster Gardens, London, on Tuesday 10 May 2005.

SGB Rovacabin has supplied modular buildings to a GP surgery in Norfolk while construction of a new building takes place. Swanton Morely nurse-led surgery in Dereham has been using SGB Rovacabin’s 9.6 m units as a temporary measure. The interlinked units are being used as a waiting room, offices, consulting rooms, nurses’ rooms, toilet facilities and a staffroom.

As the estates management needs of Trusts change and develop, the role of the helpdesk and management system within estates departments grows ever more vital. And a single system capable of covering multiple services (for example portering, gardening and catering) in addition to estates defect works and planned maintenance is often desirable. According to Bob Harse, development director at system supplier Gramms, using the latest technology can help the modern estates department maximise productivity.

To help builders, contractors and specifiers ensure that all commercial and public buildings satisfy the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and Building Regulations Pt.M:2004, Reading-based Kee Klamp has introduced a new range of galvanised iron fittings.

A new air filter that is said to be unique due to a “memory” and self-supporting media, has been launched by Northumberland-based manufacturer AAF Air Filters.

A completely revised edition of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) guide to natural ventilation in buildings is now available. The publication brings together the latest guidance and research on the subject and provides an expert guide as to how natural ventilation can best be incorporated into buildings. Aimed mainly at building services engineers and designers, the guide will also be useful to facilities and building managers who want background information on the subject.

Altro Imprint safety flooring offers stunning design elements without forcing any compromise on practical features. Imprint is perfect for use in general circulation and front of house areas where aesthetic qualities are as highly sought after as underfoot safety.

Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust in London has deployed the Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway appliance to eliminate spam across its 5,500 email users. As a result of deploying the Proofpoint appliance, employees are now protected from unsolicited and offensive spam messages and Hammersmith has a reliable, flexible solution in place as future messaging security threats arise. The Proofpoint appliance was purchased through London-based channel partner Data Integration, which provided installation and technical support for this deployment.

The Chemical Biological Radiation Nuclear (CBRN) Division of Union Industries has introduced a new specialised infection control system for hospitals. The IsoArk intensive care isolation tent and the BioSafe 300 air filtration unit have been introduced as portable retrofit solutions to deal with the care of patients with contagious diseases.

An entertainment and communication terminal developed by Trident will allow hospital patients to keep in touch with friends and family, watch television or film channels and browse the web from their beds. The unit is designed for deployment under the NHS patient power project, whose aim is to provide a personal bedside TV and telephone service to every major hospital in the UK. Trident has partnered with Patient Power licence holder Premier Telesolutions to deliver a custom solution specifically for hospitals.

The Solo T3 thermostatic basin mixer from Sirrus fuses safety and style in a product that is approved to the NHS’ stringent TMV3 standards under the BuildCert scheme. This single level basin mixer will automatically control water outlet temperatures at the chosen level even when supply pressures and temperatures fluctuate.

Sourcing high quality heavy duty WC units has been simplified by stainless steel sanitaryware manufacturer W&G Sissons, with the launch of a product brochure featuring the company’s new Guardian and Centinel ranges.

Members of IHEEM’s London Branch were given recently a “double tour” of the Royal Albert Hall, London.

The Royal Society for the Promotion of Health has announced that Darryn Kerr, chief engineer at NHS Estates, has been awarded the 2005 John Edward Worth Silver Medal.

LAW Express has been providing telephone legal advice to members of IHEEM since September 2002. When members have had a problem, or something has caused stress or anxiety, the organisation has been at hand.

The European Working Group for Legionella Infections (EWGLI) this year held its meeting in Rome, hosted by the Istituto Superiore di Sanita. There were representatives from many countries of the world and presentations detailing where outbreaks occurred, the epidemiology and actions taken. Presentations included treatment therapies and insights into the way LD bacteria are hosted in biofilm found within water systems.

IHEEM is staging seminars on medical gas safety in conjunction with the Medical Gas Association. These will be held on the 14 September in London, on 20 September in Newcastle, and 8 October in Birmingham.