The basic premise is (and has always been) that all items of technical equipment have to be supported somehow (ie, supported in the technical sense of routine servicing and maintenance, repairs etc.). It matters little how this aim is achieved, and it is rare for any hospital anywhere to do it all
in-house, although many aim at this happy state of affairs. As John has already indicated, there is usually a mix whereby most kit is maintained in-house (at first-line, at least), whilst other stuff (usually the high-spec, capital items) is farmed out to contractors (who may, or may not, be the original manufacturer). My advice is, if you have the resources (technical skills, appropriate training, tools, facilities and
time etc.) to do it in-house, do it!
