Funnily enough Karl I was talking to the lads from the RLH when we were down in Birmingham recently.
I think this is the way forward, certainly in our area I think we are all in the same boat.
I think nationally it needs to be addressed but let's start with the small steps first.
In our area we have numerous large hospitals and a good few small to middlin' size.
We also have quite a few EBME departments and we also tend to know each other quite well.
We also have 3 Universities as well as technical training establishments.
What I've thought would be a good idea is what you've proposed Karl but expanded to a "regional" thing.
If, for example, a package of academic training as well as "on-the-job" training was provided for, say, 5 "students" a year we could run with the co-operation of the Educational establishment a proper program for development.
Eventually after a period of development we would be producing qualified/trained technicians who would be able to take up positions within the regional EBME departments.
Whilst they were training they would be gainfully employed within these departments, with rotation they would hopefully develop their skills across different EBME departments.
Lots of things to discuss and I've suggested that we need to get together, there is a manager's meeting at the Countess in January, maybe a good place to start the ball rolling.
Let me know what you think, or the other guys in our area who read this post some comments, maybe I'm way off base again, as per normal.
