plastic vaginal speculums...

[joko]

is there any reason why they cannot be reused like the metal ones?

can they not be cleaned properly? are they a bit flimsy?

just curious...seems a waste

thanks

[anneasquith]

they are called disposable for a reason. would you reuse a plastic disposable cup ?

[yogi-bear]

Hi Joko,

You will have sqad, salla, ummmm and few other lovely AB'ers here in a jiffy to help you out with this. Be prepared :0)

[woofgang]

they have been brought into the NHS precisely because they are disposable and don't need to be cleaned and reused...I personally am delighted!!

[T&S]

No answer to that one!

[Bbbananas]

Plastic = disposable.

More hygienic surely? Would you really want a plastic one that had been used before?

[gingejbee]

You'll be suggesting re-using specimen bottles and hypodermic needles next.

[ummmm]

I suppose it costs more to sterilise the old ones than it costs to have the plastic ones.

Plastic ones are better...not as cold :-)

That reminds me...my smear test results haven't come back...

[woofgang]

I think that the cost aspect (primary cost, cleaning vs purchase cost) is only a part of this equation....the increased care cost of infection is also a big consideration, especially in these days of HIV

[joko]

yes i am well aware they are disposable - hence the question!

re hygiene - they clean metal ones so i see no difference if they cleaned the plastic ones...

thanks to those that actually answered the question rather than just stated the obvious...2shortplanks, ummm and woofgang

ginge - grow up...i wasnt suggesting anything...i asked a question

[Sqad]

joko....plastic is difficult to sterilise, so once used, that is it.

It is more cost effective for the NHS to buy plastic and throw them away, rather than metal and re sterilise them. Please don´t ask me to quantify that..........I can´t and I must say that I have a lot of sympathy for your argument.

[tamborine]

maybe 'cause plastic is warmer than metal ?

[nextqueen]

is the plastic recycled though?