John Prendergast PhD, MD, FCFP

John Prendergast is a Decontamination Engineer working within the specialist team at NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership/Specialist Estates Services (formerly named Welsh Health Estates) that is dedicated to all aspects of decontamination/reprocessing techniques of medical devices. John is a member of a team that provides validation services, advice and guidance to Health Boards/Trusts within Wales. The team works closely with Welsh governmental departments to deliver policy and strategy in this unique and often complex field. John has worked within the NHS in Wales for the past 27 years and was initially employed by Gwent Health Authority (currently Aneurin Bevan University Health Board) as an engineer working within the Estates department.

John joined Welsh Health Estates in 2000 and undertook a more global role working throughout all the acute NHS heath-care facilities within Wales. His role has developed to encompass all aspects of decontamination of medical devices to include Sterile services, Endoscopy and Primary care. In 2012 he completed the ACIST course (qualifying course for Authorised Engineer - Decontamination) and was formally accepted onto the IHEEM register as an Authorised Engineer (Decontamination) late 2013. John is an active member of the IHEEM Welsh Branch and represents Wales on the IHEEM Professional Development Committee; additionally in 2011 he was elected onto the Central Sterilizing Club general committee. He finds his work challenging in a very difficult time, financial restrictions within the NHS, changing guidance and increasing accountability to Healthcare organisations provide the ultimate quandary.