The first lecture was presented by Bill Whyte who discussed "Cleanroom Disciplines and Entry Procedures" - a document which he had recently written and which the Society had published. The various stages of the changing procedure for entry of operators to the cleanroom were examined and recommendations made to allow this process to be completed in a logical manner to avoid contamination of cleanroom garments and to ensure operators are correctly dressed for work in the cleanroom. Bill also summarised points made in the document with regard to behaviour of operators once they have entered the cleanroom.

George Birkett and Tom Hindmarch, the new editorial team for "The Cleanroom Monitor", presented (in "Two Ronnies' style") an outline of the course run at North Tyneside College' for operators working with cleanrooms, The teaching methods used to convey to students the principles and practices which must be adhered to when working in cleanrooms were discussed in detail.

Matthew Gracie, Training Officer at Motorola, concluded the morning session by presenting the training principles and procedures he has developed over the past years for operators working at Motorola.

We would like to thank the speakers for their interesting and informative lectures and for the enthusiasm with which the lectures were presented.

Seventy-four delegates attended this course held at the Golden Circle Hotel in Bathgate in October 1997.Brian Midcalf, Principal Pharmacist (Q.A.) at St. James' Hospital in Leeds and Chairman of UK Isolator Working Party and Isolator User Group, started the session by introducing delegates to a little of the background behind use of isolators and then discussed future developments with special emphasis on the remit of groups set up to advance research and dissemination of information on isolators.

Tim Coles, Tim Coles Associates, continued the session by discussing the advantages and disadvantages of using LAF cabinets and isolators. Advice was given to delegates on which to use for certain applications which was deemed most useful.

The extensive subject of validation was covered by Doug Thorogood, Eurostar Technology Limited, who explained the different areas to be considered an the steps to be taken to ensure the equipment, processes and operators are adequately checked.

The final lecture of the morning session was presented by Andrew Bill, Medicines Control Agency, who discussed a number of the recommendations which have been issued from the MCA on the use of isolators. A broad range of subjects were covered including the ongoing question of use of positive pressure isolators for hazardous preparations v negative pressure isolators and if negative pressure isolators are used is a Grade B background environment required.

In the afternoon delegates had a chance to discuss their own experiences at a series of workshops on the following topics:

Exhibition space was also available at this course which was taken up by six companies.

We would like to thank all speakers and workshop leaders for their hard work and enthusiasm, the exhibitors for their support and the Golden Circle Hotel for their help in organising this event