EBME Forums Forums Free discussion Free discussion Breakfast/Lunch EBME seminars ( Hosted )

Good Afternoon All,

Just wanted to see if there would be any interest if regular EBME breakfast or lunch seminars were to be held in Central London? ( FOC of course )

We recently were awarded a large FM EBME assistance contract and in a recent meeting, they asked if we would like to hold a regular ( once a quarter would be enough imo ) breakfast or lunch seminar for industry specialists and trust members etc to discuss certain popular topics of interest.

There is no hidden agenda of any kind and would be purely for information sharing and to discuss ideas/topics ( It would also be nice to put names to faces ). They have offered to provide a very modern meeting room and would also provide refreshments and breakfast or lunch if there is enough interest.

At the moment, I am just trying to find out if this would be something forum members would like to be a part of?

Mr Hannis - I wasn't sure of your location but you were top of my list to contact and run this idea by you - Any feedback would be appreciated.

There could also be a meeting room here in Tamworth ( Midlands ) available if Central London is not convenient for everyone.

I have ran this passed Huw before I started this new thread so that I'm not breaking any forum rules etc.

I look forward to reading your feedback and posts guys! I'm open to ideas and suggestions so please feel free to express them.

Lee.

Two questions, if I may:-

1) What is "FM EBME"?
2) Who are they?

If "they" are providing the venue, as well as paying for the grub ... what do "they" want (expect) from you, I wonder?

Go ahead by all means; I know that quite a few folk in our "community" (like most others, I should imagine) welcome the chance to escape on "jollies" from time to time. But (on a personal note), I generally prefer to avoid such frivolity, myself.

Hi Geoff,

Apologies I meant that it is an ongoing contract with a large Facilities Management company. The contract is to assist ebme departments at certain hospitals. We are assisting with the low to medium risk devices only and helping them reach compliance targets due to deadlines issued by the trust. We basically clear up the PPM that has been neglected a little due to under staffing or a number of other challenges ebme departments have to face. ( We are the good guys! )

No hidden agendas Geoff and they do not expect anything in return, I pretty much agreed that I thought it would be a great idea and would certainly ask the question. What better platform to get some feedback than here?

I just wanted to test the water and see what yours and other forum members thoughts were.

I'm also not dodging your question regarding who the FM company is Geoff, I just have to be careful as I know some of our competitors also frequent this forum and I would rather not divulge that information openly on a forum.

I guess the events would be no different from what is discussed on here but with food, refreshments and a place to meet is all.

Fair enough (but no doubt the mysterious patrons will be apparent at the venue)!

Thanks for clearing all that up; but I must admit I had imagined (hoped?) that "FM" may have pointed to "Full - or even Field - Maintenance".

Lastly, I can't help wondering why those hospitals don't simply hire their own staff (techs).

Anyway ... Good Luck!

Over, and Out.

Thanks Geoff.

From what I gather, it's all to do with funding etc so I guess this is where we are utilised as an alternative quick/short term fix option for the trusts. ( Until they manage to fill certain vacancies etc )

I assume our flexibility is also one of the factors that comes into play so they just use us as and when needed.

Appreciate your input Geoff.

Hello all stations.

Yes, flexibility is a good (and important) "selling point".

Especially as - unlike the (lone) Agency Techncians(s) - you can presumably deploy teams of sufficient size, complete with their own tools and test equipment, etc..

Closing down now.

Exactly that Geoff.

I even had this discussion a few weeks back where I had to put a case forward as to why we were slightly more expensive than an agency. A pretty pointless exercise sending in agency technicians with no test kit imo ( Considering deadlines were involved )

Obviously they didn't realise this at the time and soon disregarded the former option.

In my (albeit random, limited) experience, the clients always insisted that the Agency Tech(s) used in-house test equipment - supposedly for calibration and (or) traceability reasons.

And - although there may well have been others unbeknown to me - the only Agency Tech I ever came across who brought along his own tools was Yours Truly!

Actually I believe that all methods - agencies, contractors, in-house or what-have-you - have their role(s) to play in clearing the work. The only one I have yet to hear about is the "volunteer"!*

Meanwhile, apropos the topic of the thread ... if I were thirty or so years younger (and mooching about in the vicinity of the M25) I would probably go along to such gatherings; no doubt they provide a good opportunity for "networking" (aka finding - and getting - the work)! I don't recall such niceties being available back in "my day".

* Something I have offered myself in times past, only to be palmed off with various mutterings that I won't go into now.

Morning Geoff,

Actually that's a very good point, the traceability of subcontractors test equipment can sometimes be a bit of a minefield if thorough checks are not made before commencing the work. ( UKAS accredited test facility labs are used for the annual calibration of our equipment so I know that we do not have an issue with this but I'm sure there are plenty of 3rd parties out there that aren't as traceable for sure )

I totally agree Geoff, it's not very often that I put together a proposal where other subcontractors and sometimes manufacturers do not have a part to play in the solution too.

Well if you are ever passing the M25 or Tamworth Geoff, the doors always open to drop in!

Yes, the mix of the team should depend upon the mission (and not the other way around).

It is (was) also Good Practice to record the serial (or control) numbers of any test equipment used during PM (etc.) on equipment histories.

Back in the days when I was "on the road" Tamworth M42 Services was one of my favourites (that is, it was one of the few worth pulling in at); last visited nine years ago.

And it's almost exactly six years since I last crossed the M25. Happily, I was heading "out" (north); I doubt I shall be having that pleasure again, I'm pleased to say.