On 25th September 2025, iM Med hosted another successful iM Academy Conference, marking the seventh year of these events. iM Med takes pride in offering non-commercial, CPD-accredited conferences free of charge to NHS and private healthcare professionals.  The focus of this year’s conference was on the patient. “iM Putting the Patient First – Excellence in Endoscopy Decontamination” was held at the Coventry Building Society Arena, with the venue buzzing with energy as a full house of delegates from NHS and private hospital decontamination units, along with national decontamination bodies, all from across the UK and Southern Ireland, came together for a day of pioneering education, lively debate, and valuable networking.

The atmosphere was electric: real-world challenges were brought to the floor, expert insights were shared, and best practices exchanged in a highly interactive setting.

The Arena’s stylish Dhillon’s Lounge provided the perfect setting, with exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations in decontamination technology:

• Hands on demonstrations of Steelco’s world-leading decontamination range and innovative One-time Connection System.
• The launch of the iM EndoPaxDry system for endoscope drying, packing and storage generated considerable interest.
• Delegates explored consumables from the iM Clean range alongside UK-manufactured chemistries.

Delegates enjoyed a delicious selection of refreshments throughout the day, from breakfast rolls to a generous lunch spread and tempting cakes, with networking continuing seamlessly between sessions - including discussions with industry experts.

Keynote: Protecting the Patient – Infection Prevention at the Forefront of Decontamination

Martin Kiernan, Visiting Professor, Richard Wells Research Centre, University of West London

Professor Kiernan opened the conference with a thought-provoking keynote exploring the ongoing battle against antimicrobial resistance. He charted the journey from Alexander Fleming’s early discoveries through to today’s stark reality: a post-antibiotic era where resistant organisms outpace the development of new treatments.

Key themes included:

• The unstoppable rise of antibiotic resistance, driven by overuse and lack of sustainable practices.
• The critical role of biofilms, which protect bacteria from disinfectants and drive persistent outbreaks.
• The transformative power of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) in outbreak detection, turning invisible risks into visible data.
• Real-world cases of endoscopy-related outbreaks, where genomic tools exposed hidden transmission routes.
• The need for smarter equipment design, potential disposable components, and rigorous infection prevention in daily practice.

His closing message was clear: prevention is better than cure – especially when there isn’t one.

The Decontamination Journey of an Endoscope – Safeguarding Every Step

Zoë Fayers-Rust, Quality and Compliance Manager, iM Med

Zoë took delegates on a detailed journey of the decontamination process of an endoscope and the critical points of each step, an essential reminder to us all . She demonstrated how even small oversights can compromise patient safety, making vigilance at each stage essential.

Her key points included:

• Why standardising processes is critical to preventing cross-contamination.
• The role of validation and monitoring in safeguarding reprocessing.
• Real-world examples of where breakdowns occur, and how proactive systems prevent escalation.
• How human factors – training, engagement, and accountability – are as vital as technology in maintaining safety.

The session reinforced the principle that every link in the decontamination chain matters.

Managing Rinse Water Sampling & Results to Keep Patients Safe

Ian Mein, Director, Citritek & Eurofins Healthcare Facilities Testing

Ian’s presentation tackled one of the most technical but vital areas of decontamination: rinse water quality. With clear explanations and practical examples, he showed how water sampling and result interpretation directly impact patient safety.

Highlights included:

• The risks posed by contaminated rinse water in compromising endoscope safety.
• Best practice guidance for sampling frequency, technique, and reporting.
• How to interpret complex results and implement corrective action plans.
• Case insights where poor water management had led to significant risks, and how early intervention prevented escalation.

Delegates left with clear, actionable strategies to strengthen their water safety protocols.

The Secret Diary of an AED – Behind the Scenes of Endoscopy Compliance

John Prendergast, Principal Decontamination Engineer, NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership

John provided an insider’s view into the role of Authorising Engineers (Decontamination). Using candid reflections and practical case examples, he highlighted the day-to-day challenges of achieving and maintaining compliance in a landscape of evolving standards.

His session explored:

• The importance of documentation and traceability for accountability.
• The gap between policy and practice that departments often face.
• How AEDs act as both guardians of safety and pragmatic problem-solvers, working with units to close compliance gaps.
• Practical approaches to common issues, including training lapses, equipment validation, and auditing pitfalls.

Delegates came away with a renewed appreciation of the unseen work that keeps decontamination services compliant and resilient.

Safe from the Start: Embedding Training and Compliance

Dr Helen Griffiths, Decontamination Lead, British Society of Gastroenterology

Dr Griffiths delivered a powerful presentation on building resilient decontamination systems that are safe by design. Her focus was on embedding training and compliance into the very fabric of services, ensuring consistency regardless of staffing pressures or external scrutiny.

Key insights included:

• Developing robust training frameworks that go beyond box-ticking and truly embed knowledge.
• Using compliance monitoring not as a punitive tool, but as a mechanism for continuous improvement.
• The importance of leadership accountability in setting the tone for safety and quality.
• How a culture of learning and openness drives sustainable excellence in patient services.

Her message was that true compliance isn’t reactive—it is embedded from the start.

Interactive Panel: Addressing the Challenges

The day culminated in one of its most engaging sessions: a live panel discussion where delegates presented their real-world dilemmas to a panel of experts. Topics ranged from resource limitations to complex compliance issues.

The discussion was frank, solutions practical, and the knowledge exchange invaluable. For many, this collaborative problem-solving session captured the very essence of the conference - bringing experts and practitioners together to shape solutions that work in practice, not just on paper.



With a packed audience, insightful presentations, interactive debate, and cutting-edge technology on display, the 2025 iM Academy conference showcased the growing importance of excellence in endoscopy decontamination and the importance of always ensuring we are all putting the patient first.

iM Med is already planning its next series of conferences, both in-person and virtual events. Be sure to sign up to receive updates on these upcoming events>