IFHE NEWS Torontoconference abstracts deadline extended


Planning continues for the IFHE’s 27th annual Congress, scheduled for 17-21 September 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, in Canada (HEJ – April 2021), say the event’s organisers, the Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society (CHES). Jim McArthur, IFHE 2022 Congress Chair, said: “We look forward to welcoming healthcare engineers and facilities managers from around the world to Toronto in 2022. We have recruited members from around the globe to participate in the event’s planning.” Following the IFHE ExCo meeting on Saturday 17 September, 2022, and the IFHE Council meeting on 18 September, other activities will include a golf tournament on 18 September, as well as the Companion excursion to Niagara Falls (one of the Wonders of the World). The day will finish with the Opening Reception at the internationally renowned Hockey Hall of Fame in Downtown Toronto. The programme portion of the


Congress will commence on the morning of Monday 19 September with opening ceremonies, followed by the first day’s keynote speaker, Haley Wickenheiser, a four-time Olympic Gold Medallist in Women’s Ice Hockey, and a current Resident Physician, and concurrent educational sessions. The day’s Companion Programme will include entry to the Royal Ontario Museum, and lunch and shopping in Yorkville. Jim McArthur said: “The Monday evening’s Gala Banquet will take place at the Liberty Grand Ballroom.” The programme will continue on Tuesday 20 September with a second keynote speaker, Dave Williams, a physician and former NASA astronaut, who has completed two missions to Space, followed by concurrent sessions, and the day will end with closing ceremonies. “There will be plenty of opportunities to visit the exhibition floor,” Jim McArthur added, “while tours of local hospitals are


scheduled for Wednesday 21 September. We hope to see you in Toronto.” For additional information, visit: https://www.ches.org/conferences-and- events/2022-ifhe-ches-conference.html, or email jmcarthur@albrightcentre.ca The 27th IFHE Congress will take place alongside the 2022 CHES National Conference at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto.


Unleashing innovation – a further call for abstracts CHES is still seeking speaker abstracts for both Domestic and International Submissions for the IFHE 2022 Congress, and has extended the deadline for receipt of abstracts and biographies to 31 August this year. The Congress theme is: ‘Unleashing Innovation: Healthcare Engineering Excellence’.


The Society adds: “Accepted speakers will be notified by 30 October, 2021. Confirmed speakers will be requested to electronically submit their complete PowerPoint presentations by July 15, 2022.


Please visit www.ches.org for further details. You may submit your completed form at:


Hayley Wickenheiser. Dave Williams.


Domestic Submission Form: https://www.xcdsystem.com/ches/ abstract/index.cfm?ID=5L6x696 International Submission Form: https://www.xcdsystem.com/ches/ abstract/index.cfm?ID=Jqe26EZ For enquiries, email ches@eventsmgt.com


Exco ‘concerned’ over member communication


The IFHE Executive Committee (‘Exco’) is ‘becoming increasingly concerned’ at the way in which the organisation communicates with its members, writes Andy Wavell, Joint General Secretary, with a Working Group commissioned to look at ways of making contact with Members easier and more meaningful. One area being addressed is the creation of an IFHE email address that will not fall foul of the GDPR regulations. Andy Wavell said: “Following a Council decision to remove those Members and organisations who fail to make annual payments, all those with outstanding fees have been advised that unless payments are received, action would be taken. A Members were offered re-designation to B Membership, which attracts a much lower fee, while B Members will be removed from membership. “IFHE is committed to energy conservation and the removal of carbon in encouraging our organisations to get


involved with IFHE’s Energy Initiative – which asks Member organisations to sign up to providing their site energy data showing how they are reducing the carbon footprint. It is anticipated that an award will be made at the next Congress in Toronto to the healthcare organisation making the biggest savings, and an award to the country providing the most healthcare organisations taking part. Information has been sent to all A Member countries. “The pandemic continues to affect the world, and thus what IFHE would like to do. The possibility of a face-to-face meeting this year remains highly unlikely. Exco continues to investigate holding a virtual meeting in conjunction with the annual conference held by SMAES (Mexico) during November. Plans for the next Congress in Toronto during September 2022 progress, with plans being made for a conventional meeting, but in the event of another worldwide pandemic, this would become a ‘virtual’ meeting.


“Exco and the broader membership continue to receive requests from the World Health Organization seeking help with various healthcare designs. Exco has recognised those who have taken part in designs thus far via a Certificate of Appreciation. IFHE has been recognised by Téchne Technical Science for Health Network, part of WHO, for the work undertaken during the pandemic. “Within Exco are members of the IFHE Digest editorial panel. This year 45 synopses have been received, and well over 30 contributors asked to provide completed articles. The interest has surpassed the 2021 edition, with contributions from areas not previously received. Many of the submissions reflect on the past year dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is clear that many within the healthcare family worldwide have had to ‘think outside the box’ to ensure that healthcare is maintained as safely as possible.”


August 2021 Health Estate Journal 27


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