Titled Changing for the Better – New Guidance & Ramifications for the Industry, the event will focus on key themes including new guidance, emerging risks, and evolving regulatory frameworks.
A cornerstone of the Society’s annual calendar, the conference will offer expert insight, practical guidance, and strategic perspective across the water and hygiene management landscape.
Colin Shekleton of WMSoc will open with a discussion on Authorising Engineers (Water), highlighting the critical importance of independent assurance in water management. His presentation will underline the need for clearly demonstrable competence among Authorising Engineers (Water) and ask what may be required outside of the healthcare arena.
Sam Baptist of the Chartered Institute of Building Services (CIBSE) will examine competency frameworks in the context of the Building Safety Act, with a particular focus on the growing importance of structured continuous professional development (CPD).
Public health will feature prominently in Dr Michael Gormley’s (Herriot Watt University) session on healthcare drainage systems. Drawing on his expertise in environmental engineering and public health, he will explore how conventional design and monitoring practices must evolve to better mitigate infection risks – particularly in clinical environments where vulnerable populations are at heightened risk.
An event highlight will be the presentation of the (S)HTM 04-01 All-Nations Guidance, which is currently available for public consultation, delivered by Dr Richard Beattie and Craig Morning of NHS Scotland Assure. This updated guidance aims to harmonise water safety standards across the UK, offering much-needed consistency for duty holders and technical teams.
Experienced technology lawyer, Tania Williams, will present AI in Practice: Navigating Legal and Operational Risks, addressing the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence, along with associated legal, contractual, and risk management considerations.
Attention will then turn to practical solutions for closed system water quality, presented by Chris Parsloe, chair of the Closed Systems Control Association (CSCA). His session will explore the latest guidance on both ‘chemical-free’ and conditioned water approaches, evaluating their respective benefits and implementation challenges.
From a regulatory perspective, Ceri Rideout, Legionella technical lead at the HSE, will provide an update on inspection trends and common compliance failings.