The NHS is facing record pressures, with waiting times and performance statistics continuing to paint a bleak picture. According to the latest figures, there are more than seven million people on a hospital waiting list in England, which equates to one in eight of the nation’s entire population. Delays and backlogs caused by the pandemic

The questions I will ask and look to answer in this article do not form an exhaustive list, but will, I hope, cover some of the important aspects that electrical engineers, fire system installers, designers, and building contractors working in the healthcare sector should be aware of to ensure a safe and compliant life safety

The UK’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has developed an Electricity Supply Emergency Code (ESEC) which outlines the actions to be taken, and the timeframes, for electrical power stability recovery during an electrical power crisis. In the event of a substantial emergency, ESEC enables equal distribution of electricity supply to customers as

Building on success in delivering its ‘acclaimed solution’ for NHS Trusts to manage their PAM submissions, QuiqSolutions, in conjunction with IHEEM, is launching a suite of tools to assist in EFM governance and compliance. As the company’s Sales director, Paul Kaye explains, the scope of the solution includes delivery of a digital solution around the

Speaking in a topical session at the IHEEM Wales Regional Conference in Cardiff on 11 May (see also HEJ – August 2023), Anthony Pitcher, Senior Fire Safety Adviser, NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership – Specialist Estates Services (NWSSP – SES), discussed some of the key fire safety challenges when seeking to decarbonise healthcare buildings –

The ‘Update from the IHEEM Technical Platforms’ was given in a mid-morning session at the 2023 AE Conference on 11 July, which was titled ‘Delivering the standard’, and also saw presentations on topics including ‘The importance of CPD’, an ‘Update from the Decontamination Board’ on the work and role of APs and CPs, and an

Duane Passman, FIHEEM, Director, Percipio Consulting, who is Co-Chair of IHEEM’s Diversity and Inclusion Working Group, reports on some of the Group’s key activities and areas of focus since its formation six years ago. He highlights particularly a series of recent interviews undertaken with individuals working in the healthcare EFM and engineering field to gauge

 Here, they summarise the most up-to-date evidence, and share details of some new research There are numerous factors to consider when deciding on the best flooring type for use in healthcare facilities, not least matters of endurance, sustainability, and environmental credentials, cleaning and maintenance, infection control, aesthetics, and cost. Safety considerations will commonly focus on

The energy crisis continues to put businesses and public sector organisations under huge economic pressure. Healthcare is one of the most energy-intensive sectors, with NHS Trusts and healthcare facilities already consuming vast amounts of energy, and the World Health Organization forecasting that energy costs will rise over the next five years. Late last year, Sheffield

A new 28-bedded ‘concept ward’ combining single-bedded en-suite rooms with four-bed bays, built by Health Spaces at Great Yarmouth’s James Paget University Hospital, and officially opened on 27 May this year, will be used both to house patients while RAAC panel remediation is undertaken on parts of the hospital estate, and to enable the James

 Taking on individuals without demonstrable evidence of the necessary competence and expertise is fraught with danger, and – should a serious incident occur – leaves the client organisation, such as an NHS Trust, open to serious consequences – in the worst case facing prosecution. After an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in 1976 in Philadelphia, the

The New Hospital Programme has been tasked with transforming and modernising NHS healthcare facilities in England. Delivering it will require a clear and shared vision from the NHS Trusts, contractors, and suppliers involved. NHP head of Market Management, Emma Whigham, explains how the team developed its own ‘delivery scorecard’, ‘so that all sides fully understand

Titled ‘Confronting the Estates Challenges of the Future’, the IHEEM Wales Regional Conference took place from 11-12 May 2023 at Cardiff City Stadium, alongside an exhibition. The evening of the first day also saw a gala awards dinner held at the historic Coal Exchange Hotel in Cardiff Bay Prior to the presentation of five awards,

These – he said – included collating, analysing, and acting upon, accurate, up-to-date information on the estate’s condition and utilisation, identifying further decarbonisation opportunities, and rationalising and centralising services where this improves efficiency and patient experience. HEJ editor, Jonathan Baillie, reports Stuart Douglas’s presentation on 11 May followed two preceding keynotes by Judith Paget CBE,

They explain that protecting the environment and sustainability are ‘fundamental concerns’ for the Order as a sizeable healthcare provider. The healthcare sector is responsible for 4.4% of global net emissions (two gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent), and the sector’s climate footprint is equivalent to the annual emissions of 514 coal-fired power plants. If the healthcare