Somewhat tangential to the original questions, perhaps ... but here goes:-
Historically speaking, in British hospitals there have always been some departments that have generally "done their own thing" when it comes to technical support of equipment.
The laboratories being the example being discussed here ... but others may (will) include radiology, maybe CSSD and perhaps physiotherapy and even theatres as well (I have comes across many such examples over the years).
In my opinion (often proffered on here in the past) is that technical support of all equipment in any hospital should be the responsibility of a single office. For example:- the Hospital Engineer; with the Clinical Engineer (Biomedical Engineer or whomever) likely being the most suitable person to hold such a position.
In that way some consistency may be applied "across the board" to engineering issues, the management of service contracts, maintenance and the support of equipment generally.
PS: I notice that Janet is in the Isle of Man. Do any special rules apply there, I wonder? In other words, which organisation or authority holds sway (jurisdiction, whatever)?
