We all know that staff in hospitals rely on a vast array of equipment to do their jobs, but who makes sure it’s all up to scratch and running smoothly?
Step forward the unsung heroes who make up the NHS Medical Physics Teams. In NHSGGC, the team manages over 50,000 individual items, worth around £200 million. From thermometers to ventilators, it’s our Medical Physics Teams that help us keep the ‘show on the road’, and today (Thursday 21 October) celebrates them with ‘Global Clinical Engineering Day’.
Modern Apprentice Annie Kiloh works at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and said: “There are over 600 different types of medical equipment that the team look after, the most common type of equipment is a CPAP unit, which pumps air through a mask people wear at night. Due to the variety of equipment no two days are the same with staff regularly working in ICUs, Theatres and Wards.”
A team of 110 highly trained technologists work together to ensure the equipment is accurate, safe to use and reliable. Technologists not only look after equipment in hospitals but also in health centres and in patient’s homes. This includes the renal home dialysis service plus the adult and paediatric home ventilation services.
Annie, who is in the 3rd year of her apprenticeship said: “I have always loved fixing things; even when I was a wee girl. My dad has a joinery company and I was always following him around and picking things up. If there’s a piece of IKEA furniture to be assembled, I’m your girl!
“I love working at the Queen Elizabeth and see myself being here a long time. Our days are so varied and I’m learning new things all the time. In my lab there are three fully trained clinical engineers, so I’m always out with one of them learning how to fix a new piece of kit.
“I suppose we do work away in the background, but I get a lot of satisfaction from my job, knowing we are a vital part of the hospital team. Happy Global Clinical Engineering Day to all my colleagues!”