New university announces honorary professor to aid research and teaching

A world leading specialist in helping health staff to combat hospital infections has been made an honorary professor of the University of the Highlands and Islands, to assist the development of research and teaching.

David Hurrell, who devised and teaches on the postgraduate MSc in medical device decontamination, becomes the UK’s first professor in the subject.

This popular and essential postgraduate course helps students, from all areas of health provision from nurses to healthcare workers, understand the processes involved in the safe decontamination of reusable medical devices. Taught online and part-time, it allows these health professionals to continue to work while studying.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor, James Fraser said: “It is my great pleasure to award this honorary professorship to Professor David Hurrell.  His contribution to the field of medical decontamination coupled with his distinguished academic background and professional skill make him the ideal candidate for this prestigious honour.

“He has extensive experience in the field of decontamination at all levels in industry and healthcare practice both within the UK and overseas. He has been able to bring this experience to bear in both developing and promoting our MSc in Medical Device Decontamination which has been a ground-breaking qualification in an important, specialist field.  We look forward to the opportunity to continue our work with Professor Hurrell in the further development of this MSc and other courses in the discipline.”

Professor Hurrell added: "Not only a great personal honour but, perhaps more importantly, recognition of the scientific and professional status of medical device decontamination and acknowledgment of the work of all the team who developed the MSc course".

Media contact

Alison Hay
01463 279222
alison.hay@uhi.ac.uk