The Thermostatic Mixing Valve Manufacturers' Association (TMVA) has successfully secured the inclusion of 'Severe Scalding of Patients' in the expanded list of 'Never Events'.
The list is specified by the Department of Health in order to better protect patients to ensure certain extreme events never happen. The new addition to the list references the relevant guidance documents that should be followed to ensure such an event never happens, and these present Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMVs) as the key temperature controlling device to be installed to meet the relevant safety requirements.

The chair of the TMVA, Roy Minett, said: 'This success has been achieved following proactive engagement with the Department of Health by the TMVA, and further endorses the Thermostatic Mixing Valve as a vital and reliable safety device for use in healthcare properties.'

He added: 'The TMVA and its members are continuing to work with the Department of Health to ensure that healthcare engineers and other staff are aware of, and implementing, the relevant guidance to ensure the highest level of safety in hot water systems is delivered to all patients and staff in the healthcare sector.'

• The TMVA is part of BEAMA (British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers Association) which has been established for over 100 years, covering a range of industries in the electrical, energy, water and power related sectors. For more information visit: www.tmva.org.uk