Haven't you noticed, Graham, it's happening across the board, in every "arena", in all walks of life, and all across the country? No stone is left unturned for more than a couple of days of peace and quiet. As you say, you never know what's going to happen next. All very unsettling for the Common Citizenry, of course (perhaps that's why "they" do it ... you know, just to keep everyone a bit off-balance, as it were).

I think they're calling it reform. Myself, I think I could come up with a much more descriptive term!

Perhaps it's a pity that we don't have engineers at the helm, as it were (you know, practical people). Instead of whatever it is our helmsmen claim to be.

Equipment support or technical support, best practice or common engineering standards. I can see the benefits, however, as a matter of interest, who would set the engineering standards within the NHS? How would it be audited? Interesting concepts.

Fundamental concepts, more like! As it is the largest such organisation in Europe, I cannot see (and never have been able to) why the NHS doesn't draw up, and then apply, technical support standards of its own. Plus inspection teams to ensure compliance.

And its own engineering school, as previously mentioned.

Of course, we all know why this will happen. Cost, and the lack of any headline grabbing short term quick fix! That and the fact that, as soon as proper directives are laid down, it would immediately be obvious that there aren't enough biomed techs to carry them through!

No, things will just muddle on much as they are now.