Whilst temperature is the primary method of microbial control in healthcare building water systems, poor design, inappropriate materials and a lack of effective maintenance results in proliferation of waterborne pathogens and formation of biofilms within the water network. As a result, water sources can present a risk to patients and vulnerable users. Biocides are often

The NHS has made bold commitments: to achieve Net Zero for directly controlled emissions by 2032 and system-wide by 2040. These targets are rightly ambitious; the scale of the health estate makes the NHS one of the UK’s largest single contributors to public-sector carbon emissions. Since 2020, the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) has provided

The Prime Minister has promised to ‘harness game-changing tech’ as part of the 10 Year Health Plan, but what role will EBME departments have in integrating and managing these technologies? As these technologies become increasingly connected, do EBME departments have the skills and knowledge they need to support the government’s ambitions? What will be the

Central to this transformation is the integration of biophilic design (design that connects people with nature) principles that prioritise mental health and psychological wellness alongside clinical excellence. Stress in healthcare settings stems not only from experiences of suffering, illness or pain, but also from lack of privacy, exposure to unfamiliar or anxiety-inducing sounds, inadequate lighting

Beginning in 2022, the £34 m upgrade at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, Greater Manchester, significantly expanded and improved the emergency care facilities at the hospital. Completed in six stages, the project involved extending the old emergency department with a new three-storey steel-framed building over the existing ambulance drop-off area, plus a new two-storey wing

Back in 2000, I asked a simple but uncomfortable question: Do we lead, or do we lag? At that time, it was becoming clear that clinical ventilation systems across the NHS were not always performing as expected. Rooms that should have been safe were not consistently so. Systems that were assumed to be protective were,

The call comes in just after two in the morning. Theatre 3 lost power mid-procedure. The emergency generator played its part, but the patient still had to be moved. The investigation reveals a fault that has been developing for weeks, invisible to monthly manual checks. In the morning, the team will face questions about system

With increasingly dilapidated buildings, extensive waiting times and dwindling availability of services, there is no doubt that change within the UK’s healthcare system is welcomed. As the NHS embarks on a bold new journey, under the UK’s NHP, the incorporated Hospital 2.0 principles are set to serve as the roadmap to success through an approach

Apprentice of the Year Sponsored by TB+A & IHEEM Winner:
Frankie Taylor-Smith, Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management Frankie Taylor-Smith is a Medical Engineering apprentice within Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management. She is calm, logical and thorough, as well as being confident to speak up about issues she feels passionately about. She acts as a true role model to

Throughout its 76-year history, the NHS has undoubtedly evolved, but it is now experiencing what is considered ‘possibly the greatest wave of innovation in the history of our NHS’. This period of transformation aims to revolutionise healthcare delivery, making it more efficient, responsive, and patient-centred. The commitment to tech-enabled care is highlighted as the chance

Malaysia is firmly committed to advancing towards a carbon-neutral environment and is actively supported in this endeavour. Among the key public sectors leading this charge is the Ministry of Health (MoH), which aims to spearhead efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. It is widely acknowledged that the healthcare sector is a major contributor to

The need for decarbonisation in healthcare is becoming increasingly critical. Healthcare represents almost 20 per cent of the US national economy, 8.5% of US carbon emissions, and 5% of global carbon emissions, with these figures continuing to grow. Traditionally, healthcare is known for its principle of ‘doing no harm’; however, it significantly contributes to the

What are non-tuberculous mycobacteria and what are the dangers? Recognised as an ’emerging public health concern’, 
non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are posing an ever-increasing risk to immunocompromised populations. There has been a documented global increase in pulmonary NTM infections and disease, requiring an introspective analysis of existing water quality and safety measures. In healthcare environments it is

The NHS is operating under immense strain. Crumbling infrastructure, record-high waiting lists, and mounting pressure on staff have all become defining challenges. With some facilities dating back to the mid-20th century, many are no longer fit-for-purpose, while soaring energy costs, safety concerns, and growing maintenance backlogs compound the problem. Meanwhile, demand for services continues to

Hospital privacy curtains, though essential for patient dignity, are increasingly being recognised as high-risk touchpoints. Recent scientific research, particularly a 2023 study published in Infection Prevention in Practice, investigated whether antimicrobial curtains offer a meaningful reduction in healthcare-associated infection (HAI) risk.1 Conducted at a major US military hospital, the study, titled ‘New patient privacy curtains