Do interested parties or representatives from the VRCT, DoH, NHS, HPC, etc, etc have any comments with regard to this concern posted a while back?

Mr R J Ling

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Member # 301


posted 23 February, 2005 08:17 PM


Somehow, after reading Dr Haylett's report on the meeting of 17th Oct 2005 RE: the process of registration of medical engineers under the framework of "Clinical Technologists", I think there may have been an element of truth in this statement.

Richard

Yes, you have caught us out - the team running the VRCT has nothing better to do than spend all of its time plotting to undermine those working in EBME and other engineering departments in order to benefit those working in Medical Physics! What errant nonsense - I am surprised that you, of all people, would go along with such ludicrous, conspiracy claptrap!!!

This whole process is about raising the profile of those working in EBME and other engineering departments (and Medical Physics). Not about doing each other down.

I will not comment further on this subject as, once again, the professional integrity of the VRCT team is being questioned. I am not prepared to indulge further those looking to score cheap shots as a means of fuelling their inferiority complexes.

Jim Methven

Is this acronym R us (ARS).

Look at it like this it doesnt matter if you are Med Physics or EBME they are all out to get us or is this just cynical.

I have my own concerns over a pile of buerocrats sitting on a fat wage pushing paper and not knowing what the man on the ground actually does.
I am always sceptical of anything any government thinks is a good idea.

Poll tax, community charge, toll roads, safety cameras (money makers) and so on.

The Voluntary register yes but what happens when buerocacy takes over and it starts costing us to do the job that we have been doing for years. This is my concerns.

Billy

Jim,

You speak on behalf of the VRCT in your last posting? Although I find it a particularly abusive attack, apparently aimed personally at me (rather than a representative group, collective or organisation); however I will reiterate.

Some reassurance in your last post then - is this the real "face" of the VRCT coming to the fore then? So the sum total of your comments RE: my concern(s). The comments obviously hit a "raw nerve".

Why doesn't the VRCT post something useful like explaining how the regulation process is (or isn't) progressing - I've seen nothing despite recent meetings reported by Dr Haylett, who has no affiliation with VRCT as far as I'm aware.

What we don't need is those on the VRCT panel taking criticism all so very much personally - and making personal attacks on individuals when they have concerns de-facto: communication between VRCT and EBME departments, in particular, is "crap". You've just reinforced this with your response.

Actually if you read this statement of concern - it is the HPC that is criticised more than VRCT since it is the HPC that will regulate professionals not the VRCT as far as I'm aware. Medical Physics has a range of disciplines not covered by EBME thus EBME may be excluded, ultimately, if medical engineering is not encompassed within the regulation process - it's a valid concern as far as I'm concerned.

It apperars to me from statements posed (rightly or wrongly) that VRCT and HPC have different agenda's. I was under the impresion that in a democratic society it is up to the members to ensure that it is steared in the direction so as to benefit ALL members, and that this should be the common goal. After all whatever the background we ALL have something to offer.
Come on lets not behave like children.

Should those with concerns, who are included in the VRCT, employees of the NHS, stakeholders in the NHS and could be regulated by the HPC, expect responses from:

Yes, I think so. I could understand such a crapulous response from any one of these if I were to single-out an individual or specific organisation but not when I include all major parties involved to comment. I think it is Mr Methven who is showing his sensitivity and his insecurities on this issue, not I or others who have as genuine concerns about where the profession is going as he does, believe it or not.

What an absolute mess!!
I've learned more about the VRCT today in this thread than in the last three years.
Still its helped me make up my mind, I'm off to see what the Engineering Council has to offer I think they already support/regulate MTO's.

Houdi,

When Jim posted:

I think he was referring to me, personally, not to alienate the whole of the EBME fraternity - even though I am convinced there is a significant number working in medical engineering who may share similar concerns to mine.

Unfortunately Jim has taken my comments personally. Perhaps he is too close to the VRCT and needs to take a step back from it and listen to such comments. This aside I am certain that the VRCT panel have been working hard towards the goal of regulation and I hope they are successful - they deserve to be after putting in such effort.

However, as Paul Charles suggests I think the VRCT may have been used to push through other agendas that may not be of direct benefit to medical engineering technicians working in maintenance. Perhaps the recognised engineering registration/routes are considered more appropriate to the HPC/NHS employers/Industry.

Loud, showy, opinionated, interfering, brash, brisk, surly, offhand, etc, etc, I may be - but an inferiority complex? - I don't think so.

Louis used to be paranoid once. My doctor never confirmed this but I knew that what he was thinking. :boggle:

LIII

Happy Christmas all

Unfortunately it's impossible to make rational judgements without knowing what's going-on. When no information is forthcoming then I tend to get suspicious. If, by definition, paranoia is an irrational suspicion or distrustfulness then I guess you're correct Louis. I distrust any person or organisation that can't give a straight answer to a strightforward question or at least make conciliatory noises to that effect.

However I'm not discriminating - any organisation that takes my money, treats me like a mushroom when I'm willing to cooperate and "advance the cause" and then can't take criticism would make me paranoid - there are more "paranoid individuals" out there no doubt. Merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year to all.