First appearance for SMDSA at IHEEM, Harrogate.
First appearance for SMDSA at IHEEM, Harrogate.
- Andy Stratton, Chairman, SMDSA
The SMDSA has been established for over13 years and has grown in members to represent the majority of companies involved in packaging, collection, disposal, associated supplies and consultants in the healthcare and sanitary waste industry.
SMDSA’s aim is the development and promotion of best practices across the industry, and attending exhibitions is a further initiative we have undertaken in order to achieve this goal.
The Healthcare Estates exhibition is generally perceived as the highest profile event in the provision of products and services related to healthcare facilities, and SMDSA members provide an extensive range from luxury to essential washroom, hygiene and specialised products and waste services.
Association members meet four times a year to discuss and debate issues relating to the healthcare waste industry and to take reports from specialist working groups, often tackling very complex and technical issues relating to our business. We are also included in several high level forums and working groups with Regulators and Authorities and are able to influence policy and new guidance relating to our industry. We have had a particularly busy year with the introduction of the Hazardous Waste Regulations and the issues raised by the "Safe Management of Healthcare Waste", and the Agency’s revision to WM2.
SMDSA’s website (www.smdsa.com) includes areas where members can keep up to date with legislation and guidelines and forthcoming changes, as well as public access areas designed to inform and educate interested parties such as NHS trusts and other related producers.
Currently under development is a simple "Street Guide" in order to give easy to understand guidance, not only for drivers, operators and managers in the contractor sector, but for producers as well, and in addition, the SMDSA is developing guidance to the range of technologies used to treat and dispose of healthcare wastes which will compliment the sector guides underpinning the "Safe Management of Healthcare Wastes".
