Leadership
This patient safety incident demonstrated the fact that: l Human factors remain a challenge. l Communication between operating theatres and decontamination departments requires improvement.
l There is a need for further education of both surgical and decontamination teams on key aspects of decontamination.
IDSc is committed to ensuring the sector learns from past mistakes, while ensuring that it continues to uphold the highest standards of safety, efficiency and – increasingly – sustainability. The organisation recognises the need to ensure the discipline of decontamination science evolves and advances; decontamination science is recognised as a profession in its own right; staff are trained and competent, valued and develop; and the latest research and best practices are implemented. Despite the challenges presented during the pandemic, which impacted face-to-face events, the Annual conference returned in 2022 with a packed educational programme and exhibition. The conference explored the topical issues facing the sector – from the findings of the HSIB report, sustainability and apprenticeships, to the decontamination of robotic instruments. This year, the conference and exhibition takes place on the 28th and 29th November, at the convenient location of the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham, and promises to provide a valuable opportunity for the sector to network, and exchange knowledge and educational insights.
New board of directors for IDSc The IDSc has also now announced a full complement of directors and a new business plan has been developed, which will identify to members the aims and objectives of each of the directors and the strategic direction of the organisation. The new board includes: l IDSc president: Prof. Tony Young
l Chairman: Trevor Garcia l Director of governance: Dean Burand l Director of finance: Sharon Fox l Director of education: Helen Campbell l Director of research & emerging technology: Darren Carter
l Director of communication: Tony Sullivan
To ensure clear leadership and direction, the new chairman, Trevor Garcia has been tasked with taking the organisation forward in its next chapter – as IDSc continues to drive high standards within the sector. Garcia brings to the role a wealth of
knowledge and experience of the profession, as well as having a broad overview of the healthcare sciences, in general. He was previously a decontamination manager for 37 years in the NHS, with key management roles at the East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust and the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. During his role at the Surrey and
Ultimately, decontamination needs to be recognised nationally as a healthcare science…We should be looking towards decontamination professionals being required to be part of a registry or directory, held
by an industry body, in much the same way as pathology staff. This is my hope for the future. Trevor Garcia, chairman, IDSc.
Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, he played an integral role in the development of two new sterile services departments and two new endoscopy departments, as decontamination lead. He was also the general manager for clinical support services, with responsibility for pathology, radiology, pharmacy, cancer services and outpatients. This role gave him further insight into healthcare science staff and the common challenges that affect many of these services in meeting the needs of the organisation and the need for a multi- disciplinary approach to providing solutions. “Before I left the Trust, I was asked by the
chief operating officer to work for the pathology department to assess the departments readiness for an accreditation assessment as part of their work towards achieving ISO15189. This has given me experience of a variety of different areas of healthcare science and a much wider understanding of the different disciplines,” Garcia commented. In 2010, his in-depth knowledge and experience made him an obvious choice for the role of director of education at IDSc. He occupied the position for six years, before handing over the role to Helen Campbell. In 2019, he decided to retire from the NHS, but wanted to remain involved with decontamination, so he established his own business as a consultant. He now carries out work for the National School of Healthcare Sciences, as an end point assessor for apprenticeships, and provides consultancy support both in the UK and abroad. This has given him a unique insight into the needs of the sector. “I am passionate about education, understand
the challenges departments face, first hand; and have a broad perspective of how
April 2023 I
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