05.02.2010
At a recent meeting of ETCI TC10 (Electrical Equipment in Medical Practice), Dr. Ron Kirkham stepped down as Chairman after what amounts to a lifetime committed to working relentlessly for standards to preserve the safety of electrical medical devices and electrical installations in medically used rooms.
In 1975 Dr. Kirkham, together with Charlie O’Neill, established TC10. TC10 held two meetings that year and dealt with two draft EEC Directives, one on electro-medical equipment, and the other on X-ray equipment.
In seeking a chairman for this new committee, there could be no better choice than Dr. Ron Kirkham. His unique academic qualifications as an electrical engineer and an anaesthetist were matched only by his skills as a renowned rugby referee. He has brought all of those talents and experiences to bear on the activities of ETCI TC10 during the past 34 years.
As a chairman, he combined the best in talents, mixing total professionalism seamlessly with acute motivation skills and a cordial friendly atmosphere at all times. His primary motivation at all times was to ensure the safety of the hospital environment.
He quickly realised that to do this effectively TC10 would need to carry out an education programme among health professionals and those who could impact on the safe delivery of healthcare through the use of electrical medical equipment. Thus he extended the circle of inclusion to nurses, electricians and designers. This tradition is still alive and active in TC10 today in terms of educational workshops and a wide circle of experts who contribute in a valuable way to the review of developing standards.
Dr. Ron Kirkham was Vice-Chairman and Chairman of ETCI during the period 1981 to 1985. ETCI was honoured when Ron was selected as the Vice-President and President of CENELEC (the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation) during the period 1981 through to 1987. He was also Chairman of CENELEC TC62 (Electrical Equipment in Medical Practice).
His legacy will be noted in the absence of electrical related harm in our hospitals and theatres. There can be no finer legacy than that.
Dr. Ron Kirkham has been succeeded by Peter Grainger as Chairman of ETCI TC10.
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Related contacts
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Electro-Technical Council of Ireland Ltd,
ETCI Offices, Unit H12,
Centrepoint Business Park,
Oak Road, Dublin 12, Ireland
Telephone: 01-4290088
Fax: 01-4290090 |
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Source: ETCI December 2009 Newsletter |
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