Mike
I think you are right that it has been a long time since there has been a complete R/T fail of a large aircraft in the UK, however there have been a couple of fairly recent incidents of partial/intermittent failure (one at KK and one at SS). Even though we have HF and ACARS onboard, it can take a while just to find a useful frequency/address and in the meantime we have to do something on the flightdeck!
The new procedures are considerably better than the old ones and provide a good fall-back position whilst the crew attempt to establish another form of communication. I suppose different crews will interpret them differently, so I guess it falls on ATC to be vigilant for the unexpected!
You'all take care out there now!
G W-H