A gala dinner on the evening of 10 October at Manchester’s Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, attended by some 630 guests, saw the presentation of 12 Healthcare Estates IHEEM Awards celebrating excellence and innovation, and this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The latter, presented by the Institute’s CEO, Pete Sellars – who praised the winner’s ‘unwavering commitment to our profession and our Institute’ – went to a highly experienced industry professional and ‘engineer of international renown’ who currently chairs IHEEM’s Hong Kong Branch. HEJ editor, Jonathan Baillie, reports.
Before the presentation of the awards, which took place in the Ballroom at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester’s Oxford Street, around 630 guests from across the healthcare engineering and estate management world, and counterparts from the architectural and construction supply chain, enjoyed drinks at a reception held in the hotel’s Whitworth Room. Here, they were able to renew acquaintances and network with other guests after what had been a busy and well-attended first day of this year’s Healthcare Estates conference and exhibition. During the drinks and the subsequent dinner, guests were entertained in style by solo singer, guitarist, and piano player, Daisy Kate, who – among her credits – has performed at Old Trafford and The AJ Bell Stadium in Manchester as pre- and post-match entertainment for Champions League Football and Rugby Union matches.
Following the drinks reception, guests took their seats for the dinner and awards, and the evening’s host and Master of Ceremonies, Andy Powell, welcomed all present, noting that it was ‘good to be back here at this wonderful venue, particularly in this special year when IHEEM celebrates its 80th anniversary’. He said: “Tonight is a celebration of all the hard work, dedication, innovation, and determination of those who work in the healthcare estates sector. We had a record number of entries for this year’s awards, and congratulations go to all of those on the shortlists. Good luck to all of you for later in the evening when the winners are announced.”
Next, the ‘MC’ thanked the judging panel for this year’s Awards, all of whom had given their time and expertise to decide on ‘the best of the best’ from this year’s entries, and asked the audience to show their appreciation, as well as thanking the various awards’ sponsors. Andy Powell explained that before guests enjoyed a three-course dinner, and witnessed the presentation of the awards, he and IHEEM President, Alison Ryan, would introduce this year’s event charity, Lymphoma Action – the UK’s only charity dedicated to Lymphoma. He said: “Every 26 minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with this form of cancer.” Before she invited up to the stage to speak about the charity and its work, Lymphoma Action President, Professor John Radford, Alison Ryan gave a short personal account of her own experience of being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 30, and her subsequent treatment and journey to recovery
A frightening diagnosis
She said: “When I got the diagnosis, my world was turned upside down. I genuinely thought, ‘That was it’. The uncertainty, fear, and emotional turmoil that followed were unimaginable. However, it was during this time that Lymphoma Action stepped into my life, providing the guidance and assistance I desperately needed during eight gruelling chemotherapy treatments, and 15 consecutive cycles of radiotherapy. Their resources offered me a lifeline, equipping me with knowledge about my condition, and the available treatment options. However, more than that, they gave me hope and reassurance – connecting me with the community of individuals with similar experiences.
“Through their support groups,” Alison Ryan continued, “I had the comfort of knowing that I wasn’t alone on my journey. Lymphoma Action’s commitment to research and education ensures advancements in the field. They are trying to improve diagnosis, treatment outcomes, and ultimately the quality of life for every person affected by this disease. Their efforts bring solace to patients and families alike, offering them a sense of empowerment, and keeping them informed about the latest developments. This is a personal plea to support and recognise the important role of Lymphoma Action, and the profound impact it has on the lives of those affected by it. In doing so, we contribute to a future where no one has to face Lymphoma alone, and where every person affected by the disease can find solace, support, and hope, just as they did for me. I will now hand over to Professor John Radford, the charity’s President, and Director of Research at The Christie in Manchester.”
Professor’s high-profile role
Professor Radford said: “Good evening everybody. It’s a pleasure to be here as the IHEEM guest on the Institute’s 80th anniversary; that’s quite a moment. Thank you very much, Alison, for that great introduction. I’m Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Manchester and at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, and it’s my pleasure and honour to be President of Lymphoma Action. Over the next 2-3 minutes I’d like to explain a little bit about what Lymphoma is, and what Lymphoma Action does. I will then show you a short video by somebody affected directly by the disease, and the help they received from Lymphoma Action.”
Prof. Radford continued: “Lymphoma, or lymphatic cancer, is the UK’s fifth most common cancer, affecting children, teenagers, young adults, older adults, and other people There are many subtypes, but the two main such sub-types are Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which tends to affect younger people, and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which generally affects slightly older people, although all age groups can be affected by both types. Some types are potentially curable; others are not, and some are very rapidly fatal unfortunately
A huge amount of research is going on,” Prof Radford continued, “and this has been very effective in developing new treatments over the last two three decades; we are thus in a much better position now than we were then. However, a diagnosis of Lymphoma can affect any part of the body – including the lymph nodes, the brain, the liver, the bone marrow, the lungs, and the skin. As Alison explained, that can have a devastating impact on people’s wellbeing and mental health. What Lymphoma Action does is provide information and support, a website that people can look to, information booklets they can refer to, and a phone helpline. In addition, it provides training for healthcare professionals for whom the cancer may not be their main area of work. The charity also gets into the field of policy – in terms of supporting new treatments as they go through the NICE process and other regulatory points. That’s it in a nutshell.”
Dinner guests were then shown a video from a man who had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma during 2021; he admitted he hadn’t been aware of the cancer up until that point. He was told by the hospital that investigated a number of ‘suspicious’ symptoms that he had a 9.5 cm mass on his chest. He said: “They were 95% certain at that point that it was Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, but they needed to do a biopsy. In my own mind I was very worried about any form of cancer diagnosis, and about it spreading everywhere.” The individual interviewed, Ben, admitted his subsequent treatment and recovery saw him go through a very tough time, but he had been very appreciative throughout for all the help and support he had received from Lymphoma Action.
In summing up following the video Prof. Radford told dinner guests: “So, as you have heard, it’s not just about the treatment, but also about supporting people through to the other side.” He added: “And it’s interesting, because a lot of people say to me having Lymphoma changed them – for the better; they really understand the importance of life and of living each day and – as it were – helping others to make that journey. That’s what Lymphoma Action does: it helps people with Lymphoma get to the other side.”
The Professor then encouraged all the dinner guests to contribute via the QR code on page 8 of the awards programme, and thanked the audience for listening
Lymphoma – UK’s fifth most common cancer
Lymphoma Action says that among the priorities in combating Lymphoma are earlier and faster diagnosis, addressing workforce shortages, giving patients access to the right treatment and posttreatment support, reducing inequalities in care, and preserving the UK’s status as a world-leader in cancer research. It says better treatment will help many more people with Lymphoma to survive longer than before. The five-year survival rate has risen by nearly a third since the 1970s, and treatment options continue to expand, with the number of targeted therapies and personalised medicines growing. However, the charity says it also wants a greater focus on developing better, gentler treatment and care, and quicker access to treatment.
Following the Professor’s presentation, Andy Powell thanked him for attending the dinner, and asked guests to give generously to the charity, which they were able to do immediately by scanning the QR code within their event booklet. He said: “Please donate as generously as you can, because every penny counts.” The evening’s collection raised £790 for Lymphoma Action.
After the conclusion of the charity presentation and appeal, guests enjoyed a three-course dinner and drinks – at the end of which – before the awards presentation began, Andy Powell presided over the ‘traditional’ (for the event) ‘Heads and Tails’ game, where guests are asked to put their hand either on their head or their bottom to guess whether ‘heads’ or ‘tails’ will come up at a repeated toss of a coin. Each time those that have guessed the wrong ‘face’ of the coin sit down until there is only one person standing – the winner. This winner went up to the stage to collect their prize – a magnum of champagne.
Professional opera singer and TV star
Next, Andy Powell introduced the evening’s guest speaker, Wynne Evans B.E.M, explaining that the Welshman is a professionally trained opera singer with over 25 years’ experience, has had a Number 1 album in the classical charts, was made a Member of the Order of Saint John by Queen Elizabeth II in 2008, and was later awarded the British Empire Medal. Many guests would, he said, know him best, however, from his regular television appearances as TV ‘spoof’ opera star, Gio Compario, and also – more recently – as the winner of Celebrity Master Chef. Wynne Evans then spoke amusingly, discussing his career as an opera singer and his involvement with the long-running GoCompare television advertisements, and his winning of a recent series of Celebrity Master Chef. He closed with a rousing rendition of ‘The Impossible Dream’ by Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion.
It now came to the formal part of the evening, and Andy Powell told guests – as the opera-singer completed his stint – he was delighted that Wynne Evans would remain at the dinner to be photographed with the evening’s winners.
By way of brief introduction to the awards, Andy Powell said that all those who had attended the Healthcare Estates exhibition and conference earlier in the day would have seen ‘countless examples of the innovative products and services, forward-thinking solutions, and high-quality service that characterise this great sector that you all are part of’. He told those assembled: “Tonight, we recognise and celebrate the outstanding organisations and individuals that deliver the very best the sector has to offer,” explaining that awards would now be presented in 12 categories. There had, he noted, been a record number of entries to the 2023 Awards, with the standard this year having been higher than ever. Thus even making the shortlist in each category was a considerable achievement.
Lifetime Achievement Award
He began: “Before we announce the category winners, we are going to start by presenting an extra-special award, which is the IHEEM Lifetime Achievement Award. This award was presented to the Dr PL Yuen, of IHEEM’s Hong Kong Branch, by IHEEM CEO, Pete Sellars, who said: “Tonight, it is my utmost privilege and honour to present this year’s IHEEM Lifetime Achievement Award, which is given this year to an individual who – since I first met him many years ago – has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our profession and our Institute. I’m proud to say that this individual is not just a respected colleague, but also a personal friend
“Tonight’s recipient of the IHEEM Lifetime Achievement Award is a longstanding member and Fellow of IHEEM. A professional engineer of international renown, whose career has spanned over three decades in and around the public hospital engineering sector, he has worked at the highest level of his government, contributing to, and leading, many national programmes – including construction, SARS, and energy and sustainability.
“In addition to his national contributions,” Pete Sellars continued, “Dr Yuen has been recognised globally for his engineering expertise, acting as an advisor to both WHO and the United Nations, tasked with constructing isolation facilities across the Republic of Indonesia. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, he has dedicated himself to providing his professional experience and knowledge in engineering-related matters of public interest, particularly in the field of ventilation control in isolation facilities aimed at controlling and combating the spread of airborne viruses
“In February 2020, he pioneered the invention and the innovative design of the first high standard negative-pressure isolation facility (Isolation using Modular Methods of Construction). This groundbreaking achievement has been shared globally, demonstrating his commitment to advancing healthcare engineering not only through practice, but also through sharing of knowledge. Closer to home, our awardee is a current member of IHEEM’s National Council, and serves as Chairman of the Institute’s Hong Kong Branch, where through his leadership and tireless efforts he was instrumental in providing the foundations for establishing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese Health Authority when I was IHEEM President, further strengthening IHEEM international collaborations.”
Apprentice of the Year
After this presentation, and having congratulated the Lifetime Achievement Award winner on receiving the award, Andy Powell explained that the first of the category awards to be presented on this gala evening would be for Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Troup Bywaters + Anders and IHEEM. Andy Powell explained that entry to this award category is open to apprentices at intermediate, advanced, higher, and degree level. He announced that this year’s shortlisted entrants were: Louis Audain, Alesia Bloor, Agnieszka Brzostek, Olivia Hawke, James McLeod, and Harvey Smith. The award was presented by Luke Sturgeon from Troup Bywaters + Anders to Olivia Hawke of North Tees and Hartlepool Solutions LLP.
The Architectural Practice of the Year
The next award to be presented – for Architectural Practice of the Year, sponsored for 2023 by GPT Consult – is always hotly contested – and goes to an architectural practice that has demonstrated outstanding work in the healthcare sector over the past 12 months. The 2023 nominees for this award were as follows:
Arcadis: Healthcare Practice Group.
BDP.
LSI Architects.
Medical Architecture, and
P+HS Architects
With this a particularly tightly contested category, Andy Powell explained that a Highly Commended – awarded where the judges felt the runner-up’s entry was of such high quality that it merited extra recognition – would go to BDP. Louise Clarke, Technical director, and Mahesh Mistry, senior engineer, from GPT Consult, announced that the winner of the Architectural Practice of the Year Award for 2023 was P+HS Architects. The team from the practice then went up on stage to collect their award.
Consultancy of the Year
Andy Powell told guests that the next award to be presented would be the 2023 Award for Consultancy of the Year, sponsored by T&B Contractors. This award recognises a multi-disciplinary consultancy or construction consultant (including building or quantity surveyors and project management companies) that has ‘demonstrated outstanding work’ in the healthcare sector over the last 12 months. Shortlisted were Curtins, Day Project Management, EDGE PS, Healthcare Design Leadership Community Interest Company, Hive Projects, and Multi Health Specialists. Andy Powell told guests a Highly Commended in this category would go to EDGE PS. Ollie Brook, senior Business Development manager at T&B Contractors, then came up to the stage to announce the winner of the 2023 Consultancy of the Year as Hive Projects. A team from the winning business then went up to the stage to collect their award.
Diversity & Inclusion Award
Andy Powell explained that the next award, the Diversity & Inclusion Award, which is sponsored by IHEEM, recognises ‘the organisation, individual, or initiative that has made a genuine difference in equality, diversity, and inclusion within the healthcare environment’. This year’s nominees were:
Changing Places – Vital Services, Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Land and Property Team, West Heath Hospital, Birmingham, and
New Multifaith Centre – Royal Bolton Hospital.
Duane Passman, Joint Chair of the IHEEM Diversity and Inclusion Group, then went up to the stage to announce that the winner was Changing Places – Vital Services, Birmingham Children’s Hospital. A team from Vital Services joined him on the stage to collect the award
Estates & Facilities Champion of Champions Award
Sponsored by Tilbury Douglas and IHEEM, the next award to be presented on this gala evening was the Estates & Facilities Champion of Champions Award. This year sponsored by Tilbury Douglas and IHEEM, the award goes to a member of an Estates & Facilities team that has ‘gone above and beyond their job specification to improve the patient environment’. The nominees were:
Belfast Trust Estates Validation and Assurance Team.
Dawn Clarke – Office and Helpdesk Manager, Birmingham Community Health Care Trust.
Sophie Williams, Training & Development Coordinator at WWL Teaching Hospitals NHS FT SSDU
Don Stewart, National Business Development director at Tilbury Douglas, and IHEEM President, Alison Ryan, announced that the 2023 winner in this category was Dawn Clarke, Office and Helpdesk manager, Birmingham Community Health Care Trust. Alison Ryan then presented the winner with her award.
Estates and Facilities Team of the Year
The evening’s next award – for Estates and Facilities Team of the Year, is sponsored by IHEEM, and – Andy Powell explained to dinner guests – recognises a team working in the healthcare sector who can ‘demonstrate outstanding achievement, performance, and delivery of estates and facilities services, giving examples of how practical or technical obstacles have been overcome, cost savings have been made, or innovative ways of working have been introduced’. Shortlisted organisations included:
iFM Bolton Ltd
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust – Estates and Facilities Team.
Liverpool University Hospitals Division of Estates and Facilities.
Mitie at University College Hospital London
Andy Powell explained that a Highly Commended in this category had been awarded to the Estates and Facilities Team at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT), before welcoming to the stage, IHEEM Past-President, Paul Fenton, who announced that the winner in this category was Mitie at University College Hospital London. The Mitie team then went up to the stage to receive their award from him
Healthcare Supplier of the Year
Briefly explaining the criteria for the next award, Andy Powell said that the Healthcare Supplier of the Year Award recognises the individual, team, or company that has been supplying the NHS, or a private healthcare facility, successfully and reliably over the past 12 months. The nominees in this category this year were BeaconMedaes, Healthcare Design Leadership Community Interest Company, MIG Medical, and Mitie. A Highly Commended went to Mitie. The Master of Ceremonies then said: “To announce the winner, please welcome to the stage Victoria Emerton, Conference Director for Healthcare Estates.” She announced that the winner of the Healthcare Supplier of the Year Award 2023 was BeaconMedaes.
Mark Lakey from the medical gas specialist then joined her on stage to collect the award
New Build Project of the Year
The next award to be presented was for New Build Project of the Year, sponsored this year by Andrew Poplett Enterprises. This award recognises the project team that has successfully delivered a new-build project in the past 12 months. The project should be an exemplar in the areas of sustainability, technology, design and patient wellbeing. The shortlisted nominees for 2023 were:
Concept Ward – for James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – Health Spaces
Great Western Hospital, Swindon, Urgent Treatment Centre – Gilling Dod Architects.
Hull Royal Infirmary New Main Entrance – Race Cottam Associates.
Onyx Ward – Autism Low Secure Unit, Brooklands Hospital – CPW.
The Abbey Centre, Camden – Wates Group.
The Royal Marsden Hospital, Oak Cancer Centre – BDP
Such had been the high standard of entries in this category that the team from Wates Group received a Highly Commended for The Abbey Centre in Camden. The winner of the 2023 New Build Project of the Year Award, however, was announced as Gilling Dod Architects – for its design of the Urgent Treatment Centre at Swindon’s Great Western Hospital. The team from Gilling Dod came up to collect their award from IHEEM COO, Tania Davies
Product Innovation of the Year
Recognising the best new product brought to the healthcare market within the last 12 months is the Product Innovation of the Year Award, this year sponsored by Air Sentry. Nominated were:
Air Handling Systems – for its AIR-HTM Cabinet AHU.
Medclair and BeaconMedaes – Central Destruction Unit (CDU) and Anaesthetic Gas Scavenging System (AGSS), and
Siemens – HiMed Patient Terminal Solution
Siemens’ HiMed Patient Terminal Solution was recognised with a Highly Commended. The winner in this category was then announced by Air Sentry MD, Andrew Carnegie, as Air Handling Systems – for its AIR-HTM Cabinet AHU. He presented the award to the winning team.
Refurbishment Project of the Year
The next category to see the winner announced was Refurbishment Project of the Year – where the award – this year sponsored by Eta Projects – recognises the project team that has successfully delivered an outstanding refurbishment project in the last year. The projects were judged on factors such as efficiency, creative use of space, and attention to elements such as ventilation and energy efficient lighting, heating, and design. The shortlisted nominees for this category this year were:
CAMHS Stockport – FWP.
Child Development Unit, Elland – AFL Architects.
Community Diagnostic Centre – Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Southmead Hospital Conversion of Administrative Space to Additional Clinical Capacity – North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) & PFI partners (InfraRed, Foresight, Infraconsult, Vercity & Bouygues Energies & Services).
The Global Mercy Ship – MIG Medical, and n Ultrasound Room at Birmingham Children’s Hospital – Vital Services
In this category a Highly Commended went to AFL Architects, for the Child Development Unit in Elland. Kim Shelley of Eta Projects then announced that this year’s winner in this category was MIG Medical – for the Global Mercy Ship. MIG’s Carl Mitten went up on stage to collect the award
Staff Wellbeing of the Year
The Staff Wellbeing Initiative of the Year Award – Andy Powell explained – is sponsored by IHEEM, and was introduced by the Institute to recognise an initiative or programme within a Trust designed to ensure the wellbeing and mental health of its team. Nominated for the 2023 award were:
Biophilic Wales: Inspiring Spaces – Swansea Bay University Health Board.
PW3 Agile Working and Staff Welfare Project – Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS FT Capital Team.
Staff Roof Garden – Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton
Andy Powell said: “To announce the winner, please welcome to the stage IHEEM President-Elect, Nigel Keery OBE. Nigel Keery then announced that the winner of Staff Wellbeing Initiative of the Year was Swansea Bay University Health Board, for Biophilic Wales: Inspiring Spaces. The Health Board team then joined Andy Powell and Nigel Keery on stage to collect their award.
Sustainable Achievement Award
The evening’s final award, sponsored by Siemens, was the Sustainable Achievement Award, which goes to the organisation or team that has ‘made the best use of innovative technology and sustainable practices to reduce its project’s carbon footprint in the past 12 months’
Andy Powell explained that this year’s nominees were:
Biophilic Wales: Inspiring Spaces – Swansea Bay University Health Board.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s Sustainability, Energy and Waste Team.
Mitie at UCLH.
Nitrous Cracking: Safe & Sustainable Delivery of Net Zero Medicines – Newcastle Hospitals Estates & Sustainability Team.
Refurbishment of Aintree University Hospital Tower Block – Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
A Highly Commended in this category went to Swansea Bay University Health Board for Biophilic Wales: Inspiring Spaces. Steve Jamieson, Vertical Market lead (Healthcare) at Siemens, then announced that the winner of the 2023 Sustainable Achievement Award was the Newcastle Hospitals Estates & Sustainability Team – for its initiative, ‘Nitrous Cracking: Safe & Sustainable Delivery of Net Zero Medicines’. A number of team members then ascended the stage to pick up the award.
Round of applause
The last award having been presented, Andy Powell asked all present to give a big round of applause to all the winners and those who had been Highly Commended. He added: “Well, that’s it for another year. It’s been a fabulous evening; thank you all for being here, and congratulations to all the nominees and winners of tonight’s Awards. Can we have a last, huge round of applause for our guest speaker, Wynne Evans B.E.M. Take a bow, Wynne.”
The MC concluded: “The organisers would now like to invite all of the trophy winners back up onto the stage for a group photo. While they’re making their way up, it just remains for me, on behalf of everyone involved in organising this wonderful event, to thank our sponsors, everyone who entered an award and, of course, all of you, for being here tonight. Ladies and Gentlemen, we’ll see you next year, enjoy the bar, and good night.”