IP systems expert, Terry Boarer, from healthcare technology specialist, Wandsworth Group, explains the capabilities of IP-based technology, what that means for the healthcare sector, and what health estates managers should consider when reviewing IP-based nurse call systems for specification.

Against a backdrop where the Coalition Government has said more ‘value’ needs to be squeezed out of existing healthcare PFI projects, Karen Prosser, head of the health sector team at built asset consultancy, EC Harris, and Russell Gates, one of the company’s partners on the same team, set out some of the key elements that NHS Trusts with operational PFI contracts should consider when undertaking a contract savings review.

When measures to prevent Legionella fail, and a positive result is returned from the laboratory, there is an imperative to act fast to stamp infection out, but taking the right action requires a rigorous approach.

In an article first published in The Australian Hospital Engineer, Craig Walter, manager – Emerging Markets, A.G. Coombs Pty, examines some of the key considerations for healthcare estates teams looking at installing cogeneration or trigeneration systems and technology.

According to Betts Envirometal, experts in precious metal recovery from waste streams, and a provider of ‘total waste management’ solutions, ‘disposing of hospital wastes isn’t usually a glamorous subject, unless, of course, you know how to make money from it’.

Research at Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University has identified the requirement for the development of a ‘Decision Support Model’ to ‘facilitate and measure the selection of main elements and sub-elements within refurbishment and maintenance projects’.

Next month’s Healthcare Estates conference and exhibition will see a new IHEEM President take up the reins, as Greg Markham, BEng (Hons) CEng FIHEEM MIET MBIFM, unusual in being one of very few private sector employees to have taken on the role (he is currently technical services director at G4S Integrated Services [UK]), succeeds Paul Kingsmore.

Conor Ellis, global account leader, Health; Ed Baldwin, partner, and Dr Rachel Dick, consultant, at international built asset consultancy, EC Harris, provide an updated assessment on the current NHS estate, and, in the wake of the publication of an earlier detailed paper on the subject in late 2010.

Drawing on his own considerable experience and expertise in the field, including in the UK, the US, and Canada, Jon Huddy, architect, and President of Huddy HealthCare Solutions, headquartered in Fort Mill, South Carolina, examines optimising security measures in hospital Emergency Departments.

Conor Ellis, head of health, Ed Baldwin, partner, and Rachel Dick, consultant, at international built asset consultancy EC Harris, present a “10-step guide” to help the NHS achieve radical efficiency savings, optimise the use of its estate, maximise the value of under-utilised land, buildings, and other assets, and harness better value from its existing FM operations.

David Hartley, the managing director of MTX, highlights the importance of ensuring that modular buildings have fully compliant ventilation systems that do more than just meet minimum standards.

IHEEM was among the professional engineering bodies to contribute to a ‘Rapid Review of engineering factors that will influence the spread of COVID-19 in hospital environments’ earlier this year, the results of which were unveiled in June by the RAE.

IHEEM Registered AE (Water), Steve Mount, discusses, on behalf of the IHEEM Water Technical Platform, the current standard of Legionella risk assessments seen in the healthcare community.

Horne Engineering explains how its In-Line Thermal Disinfection Unit – just launched – will reduce the incidence and risk of pathogenic colonisation of water systems.

In an article first published in Australian magazine, Healthcare Facilities, a mineral insulated cable specialist discusses the potential consequences should the electrical wiring systems that connect vital fire safety systems fail during a fire, and actions to take to minimise the risk.

IHEEM-registered AEs (Water), Steve Mount and Harry Evans, warn that it is imperative to make a judicious choice of risk assessor and water hygiene contractor as part of a concerted and effective strategy to combat Legionella in healthcare water systems.

Better asset monitoring and reporting is boosting the performance and reliability of sluice room equipment – improving patient outcomes, cutting costs, and enhancing efficiencies, says infection prevention and control specialist, DDC Dolphin.

Peter Gunn, a Senior consultant at the Water Hygiene Centre, discuses the priorities for those working in engineering and estate management and clinical roles in private sector healthcare settings whose role includes responsibility for keeping their facility’s water system in a safe and compliant condition. He focuses particularly on the key steps to minimise the chances of Legionella growth and proliferation – as set out in HSE and Department of Health and Social Care guidance.

The electrical infrastructure of many major healthcare sites was designed in a different era, and has evolved over decades in reaction to changing circumstances and advances in technology. Ed McNaught, Healthcare specialist at TGA Consulting Engineers, discusses some of the key steps to take to ensure that such infrastructure can provide resilient standby power supply to 100% of clinical facilities, and, increasingly, can also accommodate embedded renewable generation.

Giles Hartley, Equipment Project manager for the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s Hospitals of the Future Project – who has a wealth of experience in the procurement and management of medical and non-medical equipment for healthcare facilities – explains the critical importance of developing a robust equipment strategy from the outset when embarking on designing and delivering new such facilities, and particularly complex, large-scale hospital projects.