IHEEM AE CONFERENCE 2023
Technical Platforms’ varied activities discussed in Epsom
Speaking at a well-attended IHEEM 2023 Authorising Engineers Conference at Epsom Downs Racecourse in July, representatives from IHEEM’s Technical Platforms updated delegates on some of their Platform’s key activities in recent months, and looked ahead to some of the exciting initiatives and work they have planned. HEJ editor, Jonathan Baillie, reports.
Left to right: Paul Nolan, Maz Daoud, Andrew Poplett, Graeme Dunn, Mark Richards, and Alison Ryan.
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 in-depth look at a new ‘digital solution’ on which IHEEM has been working with external software and technology specialist, QuiqSolutions. This is designed to simply, and improve the efficiency of, the AE auditing process, and to help NHS Trusts and Health Boards manage year-round compliance with the relevant HTMs in each area via a new self- assessment tool (see also pages 44-45). The updates from each IHEEM Technical
Platform followed a brief introduction from Eddie McLaughlan, an IHEEM Council Member who chairs the Institute’s Technical Platform Committee. The first Technical Platform representative to speak was Andrew Poplett, an Authorising Engineer for both Water and Ventilation, who explained that a few years ago he had been approached to chair the Ventilation Technical Platform. He said:
“The Platform has existed for quite some time, but in the last three years we’ve tried to bring in more of a structure.” The Ventilation ‘TP’ was ‘slightly different to other Technical Platforms’, in that it has a governance committee structure with all of the IHEEM-registered AEs as members, and a small number of other specialists on the governing committee. He explained: “Below that we have currently 89 affiliate or other members – because ventilation covers many different disciplines, and we wanted a very broad church represented. Everybody with an interest in ventilation is welcome to be an affiliate member.”
Taking a lead on briefing notes The Platform’s key roles include leading on, and discussing and producing, briefing notes and supplementary guidance notes – ‘especially where guidance doesn’t exist’, and fielding questions from the broader membership. Andrew Poplett added: “Once something has been drafted, it is peer reviewed by the entire VTP membership. i.e. by around 90 other people. We thus hope that when a document gets to publication stage, it is reasonably robust and well-
thought-through. So far,” Andrew Poplett continued, “we’ve published a dental standard for ventilation – filling an existing gap on a topic we felt wasn’t adequately covered in the current HTM. The new standard is endorsed under consultation with the British Dental Association, and discusses they key ventilation considerations for locations offering dental services.” He continued: “We’ve also produced briefing notes on a trend that emerged through COVID of co-infection with Aspergillus. We are looking to issue briefing notes to raise awareness here.” Currently, he explained, the VTP is working on 10 briefing notes or supplementary guidance notes, with each main committee member leading on at least one subject area. He said: “The topics include things such as the correct and appropriate installation of fire dampers, which surely now can’t be a problem? DW/145 has been out for decades; everybody should really know how you install fire dampers, and how to test them.” Andrew Poplett said the VTP had also produced a briefing paper on the orientation and management of attenuators, ‘because we’re increasingly
September 2023 Health Estate Journal 31
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