By no means perfect, perhaps ... but why "disastrous"?

What "incentives" were in place before for GP's et al to have their kit checked occasionally?

And who (apart from the "tick-box companies") is supposed to check the kit? Don’t tell me that NHS biomed sheds have the time and/or resources (or indeed, the inclination) to do that!

An opportunity arose, and the Private Sector stepped up to the mark to fullfil the requirement. What's the problem? We're not taking about ICU's and Operating Theatres and such here, after all.

Well Geoff it all depends on perspective, but just from the wikipedia article the government expected GP's to only reach 70% of the QOF points in the first year but instead they got 90% without much indication of improvement. It is thus one of the reasons some GP's got big salary increases.

It's also the reason your GP surgery is probably now closed out of hours and passed on to a out of hours service. Where in one case a German doctor gave someone a overdose.

It also targets particular medical conditions which means if your a GP who's practice is located in an area with immigrants coming in with diseases no longer seen in the UK, your basically screwed.

As for who's supposed to check the kit, there's still quality companies out there and some NHS departments do cover an area instead of just a hospital. With a lack of specification for the level of service both will just have to either drop their standards or promote their quality.

Sorry Mate ... I don't make Government Policy. That's way above my pay grade, I'm afraid.

Geoff,

Interest in your comment referring to practical hands on training. Apart from the electrical safety testing, what would be your key equipment areas where current practical skills training are lacking?

The simple answer is that it would depend upon the student(s). I am imagining blokes from overseas, after all.

To my mind there is no big deal about electrical safety. It is part of the ethos, but is by no means the "be all and end all" of biomed. I'm far more interested in what we might call "personal qualities".

But as an aid to understanding, I would be also like to see blokes carry out EST without an Electrical Safety Tester!

Mmm - some defining start standard - may be tricky with overseas students,
Personal Qualities - integrity, self discipline and technical expertise/talent, spring to mind...
then... practical all the way, (megga and avo perhaps!!)

When did you last crank a Megger then, Fordy?

Not tricky. I reckon I can suss out a tech in under five minutes!

But about the Personal Qualities:- yes, yes, yes ... plus my usual favourite - willingness to work.

...now let me think, twice the working voltage springs to mind and it would be around the early 90s doing ignition leads!!

That was in my earlier days as an electrician before I retraded.