EBME Forums Forums Management Training occupational standards

I was referring to your "School for Practical Biomeds"

As for "quality organisations" there's still a lot of private companies out there that sell their services on quality than quantity.

Although since QOF points were introduced with the tick box mentality, there does seem to be a lot of small companies springing up just to help GP's tick those boxes for the cheapest price.

It wouldn't surprise me if once they saturate the UK they aim further afield. Therefore your "School for Practical Biomeds" would either have to consist of a couple weeks crash course to be of value to students aiming for those tick box companies or at least be up to HND standard for those based on quality.

Oh. I guess you missed the bits about the Philippines, Thailand, Cyprus or ... er, Yemen, then?

Somehow I doubt that anyone aiming for (what you are calling) "tick box companies" would be the sort of blokes that would interest Old Sweats such as Neil or myself.

However, if GP's in the UK are happy to hire such companies, PAT testers and such, then that's up to them, I reckon.

But they will never saturate the market, for the simple reason that (as ever) there are not enough techs available (properly trained or not).

And (lastly) be careful not to confuse "quality" (as in servicing companies) with "expensive". They are not necessarily the same thing. To the layman, the Rolls Royce motor-car may be perceived as "quality", when, in actual fact the Toyota Avensis* probably has a greater claim (in that it meets fully the requirements of its owner).

* Other quality cars are certainly available.

If a school is to be established to train biomedical technicians, of course accreditation will be sought as the students will need a certificate upon graduating. Chris, there is a wider world of biomedical other than GP clinics.

In the sort of school that would be of interest to me, accreditation would be an unnecessary expense, Neil. Would any so-called "accreditation agency" know any more than us about what is required to train a biomed tech?

Our "accreditation" (should such ever be needed) would be the glowing testimonials of our grateful alumni.

I would also issue individual certificates only. There would be no "blanks" for the unscrupulous to trade, or fill in themselves, and any that were copied would immediately become apparent! As you know, I am not interested in folk like that!

In fact, thinking about it a bit more, I would probably put some sort of wording on certificates to the effect that their validity can be confirmed by calling this-or-that number, website, email address or whatever.

Neil yes there certainly is a wider world. I don't know if you know of the situation in the UK, but a GP gets QOF points on various aspects and then money for the number of QOF points they get. Maintenance of equipment is a area that they can get QOF points on. Unfortunately there's no specification on what is required to get the QOF point, therefore as with any Government scheme small companies spring up to where they see a opportunity and once the market is saturated they expand into other areas.

Although maybe Geoff's going about this all the wrong way? Without accreditation any training scheme would be worthless. Perhaps it would be far better to provide a volunteering scheme where the individual could gain experience and instead leave training to the likes of Eastwood Park and colleges and universities?

I'm sorry Chris, but we're obviously tuned in to different wavelengths here.

Let those who have the means to attend at Eastwood Park et al (if, indeed, there is any et al) ... whilst others shall continue to need to make alternative arrangements. After all, Falfield is a long way from Gaborone (for example) (no QOF* out there, either).

Forget it, Mate ... the whole thing was meant tongue in cheek, you know. Do you really think that (if we were to be involved in practical training such as that hinted at) we would come on here, and broadcast it to the world (to be sniped at from right, left and centre)?

Have you never heard of the saying:- "Know Thine Enemy"?

* Quality and Outcomes Framework.

Oh sorry Geoff I thought these forums were for serious discussions, I didn't realise in my abscence you'd bought a bridge to grumble under!

I think you must have confused this forum with one or other of the others ... you know, those learned bodies for which you have to pay to be a member.

Sorry, Mate ... but it's always best to review the whole thread.

Meanwhile, at our school, a sense of humour will always be a definite plus!

What's QOF it sounds rude???

It's here and here a voluntary scheme that was part of the government's disastrous new GP contacts.