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Reflections on an era of change

All three of the conferences provided by the Facilities TAG in the 1996-7 year produced a very encouraging response,a reflection on the topical nature of the subject matter.

The pattern was set by Implications of Private Finance in the NHS, which was held at the De Vere Hotel, Blackpool in May 1996.This conference attracted over 64 delegates, including a number of Chairman, Chief Executives and Directors of Finance.

The conference was addressed by a number of top-level speakers from both the private and public sectors and provided an excellent insight into the challenges of pursuing a PFI initiative. It was also addressed by Treasury Minister Michael Jack MP, who explained the Government ’s approach to using PFI as an alternative to Treasury funding for NHS developments.

In October,a conference on Greening the NHS was held at Wrightington Hospital and proved appealing enough to attract a number of delegates from outside the region.

Speakers addressed a range of issues including the need for Trusts to adopt pro-environmental policies and demonstrate commitment to protecting the environment. The presentation by Alan Watson of Friends of the Earth was particularly thought provoking and provided delegates with a global understanding of environmental issues.

It was appropriate that the year ’s third conference,on Risk Management,should have been held on British Nuclear Fuels ’ facility at Salwick. The safety record of this organisation is closely monitored and the procedures it adopts to allay public fears were outlined by BNFL ’s Geoff Gill.The conference,which included a tour of the plant,was well received and the feedback from those who attended was very positive.