OK, the original post was a comment on one particular large and well-known company ... but, when it comes to a great deal of the equipment found in hospitals, you don't
have to buy from the Big Guys, do you?
There's a lot to be said for using small (hungry) suppliers, and small independent (and also a bit on the
lean side) service providers. But better still, supporting the kit yourself, in the time-honoured, old fashioned style.
Which, by the way, included the provisioning of forecast parts in the first place (that is, during the purchasing process, and shortly afterwards; during commissioning). If you hold your own parts, then you're not held to ransom when the lovely manufacturer decides that it's time to "withdraw support" for the equipment concerned, do you?
There may also be something to be said (and I have, many times) for the "National" Health Service to organise the technical support of equipment on a truly national level, using economies of scale, central sourcing (and stocking) of parts - especially those with a high turnover - and, who knows, a central technical training facility as well. OK - I know, pipe dream over.
