Live Debate - Water-and wastewater safe Healthcare: Solution or Risk?

Aired on 27 May 2026 

The Healthcare Infection Society presents a live debate exploring the future of approaches to water and wastewater safety in healthcare environments.

Growing awareness around the infection risks associated with healthcare water and wastewater systems has sparked increasing discussion about “water and wastewater safe” designs. Advocates highlight potential benefits for infection prevention, sustainability, and cost efficiency, while others raise important concerns around practicality, unintended consequences, and whether optimised water management may offer a safer and more realistic solution.

This timely debate will bring together expert speakers from across clinical practice, research, and the built environment to present differing perspectives on this complex issue. Join us to hear from leading voices in the field on this challenging topic in healthcare design and infection prevention.

Speakers

Chair: 

• Phil Norville, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of IPC Partners and Microbiologist

Panel members:

• Trupti Patel, Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
• Manjula Meda, Consultant in Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control Doctor 
• Mike Weinbren, Consultant Medical Microbiologist and Infection Control Practitioner
• Alyson Prince, Infection Prevention and Control Specialist
• Elaine Cloutman-Green, Consultant Clinical Scientist 
• Joost Hopman, Medical Director and Consultant Microbiologist