Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R) Annual Report 2015-16

We are responsible for monitoring compliance against the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R) 2000. The regulations are intended to protect patients from hazards associated with ionising radiation.

During 2015-16 we undertook a total of four IR(ME)R compliance inspections within independent hospitals and NHS radiology departments. We also conducted 133 dental inspections and as part these inspections we considered how practices met the requirements under IR(ME)R, Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 and other relevant standards and guidance.

What we found

• Safe and effective practice across the departments
• Staff that are committed to providing a high standard of service
• Patients were positive about their experiences of the services and were particularly positive about staff
• Positive work regarding the development of local diagnostics reference levels>
• Written procedures and protocols needed to be updated to ensure they accurately reflect the requirements of IR(ME)R and detail what actually happens in practice, so that it is clear for staff to follow
• Insufficient training records to demonstrate that staff had completed training in ionising radiation
• Further information was needed within procedures for areas which the regulations have defined should be given special attention, including checking pregnancy status and exposures of children.

Full details on our findings can be found in the report.