The course content and delivery has been reviewed by one of the co-authors of the latest HTM 04-01 technical guidance, who is also one of the course tutors.
The Water Management Society says the course covers ‘some of the measures required to deliver safe wholesome water’. It explained: “Relevant regulations, governance, and guidelines, will be explained, plus background information for some of the more common waterborne pathogens which may be encountered, such as Legionella spp, Pseudomonas spp, and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). The course covers how the safety of water can be assured through competent design and input from multidisciplinary teams (Water Safety Groups / Project Water Safety Groups), with risk assessment and review from concept to full operational use of the system.
Thie Society says the course will be of interest to members of Water Safety Groups (WSGs), project WSGs, or allied committees, IPC specialists, architects, designers, project team members, procurement personnel, commissioning leads, those responsible for building maintenance within healthcare premises (including advisors e.g. Authorising Engineers, consultants, Authorised Persons, service providers, and FM staff), and others wanting to increase their knowledge in this area.
Course objectives include:
- To gain knowledge of healthcare regulations and specific healthcare guidance such as Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs) and Health Building Notes (HBNs).
- To understand how the regulations and guidance inform the Water Safety Group (WSG) and the Water Safety Plan (WSP).
- To learn how project WSGs and WSGs fit into the current governance.
- To increase knowledge of waterborne pathogens, and understand the habitats they prefer, and how these relate to patient infection.
- To provide practical review of water system design and specific risks.
- To review control measures.
- To understand the consequences of poor water hygiene practices, and the impact of getting things wrong.
The day includes a breakout session in the Practical Training Area (pictured) to allow further understanding of water systems, their components, and how to advise on suitable control measures to reduce contamination. For those unable to attend training at the WMS’s Tamworth headquarters, the Water Management Society can deliver the new course at the customer location.
The WMS said: “Students already attending this course have particularly enjoyed the ‘explanation and clear guidance of the subject matter’ in a ‘relaxed approach’. They found the course ‘highly informative and well-structured’, adding that it explains the NETB and HTM 04-01 ‘with super industry experience and discussions’. When asked why they chose WMSoc training, the students commented: ‘Always informative with a practical approach’, with ‘industry-led experts in their field giving invaluable levels of training advice’.”