IHEEM AE REGISTERS
AE training course – while not discipline- specific – will harness common methods to allow the AE to understand the main aspects of the role, and to develop their specific skillsets.
A ‘typical’ AP within the healthcare environment will usually be appointed to provide several AP roles, and it is logical that the assessment of an AP should be based on set criteria regardless of discipline. While this may not suit all disciplines, the emphasis should be on ensuring that the AP is equipped with transferrable skills.
The future
While impossible to predict what will happen in the future, the immediate priority must be to ensure hospitals are in good working order and safe for patients, staff, and visitors. The development of healthcare guidance over the past 50 years has unfortunately been inconsistent. For example, HTM 02-01, published in 2006, is now out of date, referring to standards that either
do not exist, or have since been revised. To leave the HTM for such a lengthy period between revisions is certainly not what was anticipated by the authors. AEs, alongside other interested parties, use the guidance documents daily, but because of the lack of updating I personally find it difficult to recommend the guidance to clients, particularly where there are still anomalies present in the HTM 02-01.
HTM and (S) HTM 02-01 are, however, I believe, the best system-specific documents available. It is therefore the responsibility of those who have the authority to ensure that we work to up- to-date best practice. While the will to help improve the guidance exists, this requires investment, not just to update, but also to recognise changes in technology and clinical practices, and to improve efficiencies on how we deliver to the health service. Such changes can be effectively developed by medical gas contractors, suppliers, and manufacturers, and by estates
Mark Walker BEng (Hons), CEng, FCIBSE, FIHEEM, MCIPHE, MInstLM, AE (MGPS)
Mark Walker has over 30 years’ building services engineering expertise – including 18 in healthcare engineering. He has worked in the NHS and private consultancy, and has extensive knowledge in medical gas design, installation, and commissioning, in healthcare premises. Services offered include: AE Medical Piped Gas Systems. Independent design reviews. Design of medical and
industrial gas systems.
Site surveys, feasibility studies, witness testing, and commissioning.
Guidance and specialist advice in writing Operational Policies.
General policy and specification writing.
Arup
T: 0161 228 2331/07808 611543; E:
mark-x.walker@arup.com
engineers/managers, Quality Controllers, clinical specialists, and those on the IHEEM AE (MGPS) Registration Board. As an AE (MGPS) working throughout the UK, Northern Ireland, and overseas, it is clear to me that much is still to be done. The AEs are a small cog in a very large engine, but if this ‘cog’ is not utilised to its potential the engine could fail. Updating the guidance, and adequate and relevant training for all those responsible for medical gases in healthcare facilities, should be a priority.hej
Author’s note: This article contains only the opinions of its author, who does not seek to represent the views of others, in particular IHEEM and its registration Board for Authorising Engineers (MGPS), the Department of Health, the CQC, Health Facilities Scotland, and the HSE.
The text panels on pages 23 and 24 provide a short profile of five existing IHEEM AEs (MGPS).
Steve Goddard IEng, FIHEEM, AE (MGPS)
Richard Maycock IEng, MIHEEM
Richard Maycock is an experienced medical gases AE. In 1994 he joined Medaes as an R&D engineer, and in 1998 took on the role of MGPS training manager. He subsequently joined BOC in 2004 to set up its Edexcel- approved training centre, going on to manage its Medical Engineering Services department. He delivers AP (MGPS), CP (MGPS), DNO, Medical Gas Safety for Nurse/ Porters, and bespoke MGPS courses, and a range of other services. Since its inception in 2000, he has worked with the Pharmaceutical Technical and Quality Assurance (PTQA) scheme to assist in the development and delivery of MGPS QC testing training courses. His company, Medical Engineering Systems Ltd, formed early in 2016,
24 Health Estate Journal March 2017
provides a range of medical gas pipeline system services to the NHS and private healthcare sector, including: Providing advice as an independent AE (MGPS), cover for the AP (MGPS), construction commissioning, and consultancy.
Preparing specifications for maintenance, installations, or purchase of equipment to HTM 02-01 requirements.
As-fitted drawings and design work. Compliance audit risk assessments. Cylinder optimisation, storage, and policy preparation.
Medical gas training courses.
Medical Engineering Systems Limited – T: 07539 076664;
Email:
Info@mesystems.co.uk
Director of MGPS Services, Steve Goddard’s 36 years’ experience in the NHS began with him providing technical support at the NHS’s only Technical Training Centre, in Gloucestershire, now Eastwood Park. He subsequently moved, via interim periods working for American life support/monitoring equipment manufacturer, Puritan Bennett, and UK medical gas system designer and installer, Medæs, to become lecturer/ training consultant with responsibility for Biomedical Equipment, Medical Gas, and Computing courses at the Falfield facility, later assuming responsibility for Authorised Person (MGPS) training provision. In 2003 he left to establish MGPS Services, which offers medical gas- related consultancy and training to both the NHS and the private healthcare sector. Following his appointment as one of the first IHEEM-Registered Medical Gas AEs, he developed the business to encompass over 50 sites, to which he provides AE (MGPS) services including Authorised Person duties; testing and commissioning; training for Authorised Persons, Competent Persons, Designated Persons (Porters), clinicians, and nurses; compliance surveys, and ‘As-fitted’ and schematic drawing preparation.
MGPS Services Ltd – T: 0845 652 4901; Email:
steve.goddard@mgps-services.com
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