Our inspection programmes
Proactive inspections
We enforce The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000 (IR(ME)R) in England through a programme of assessment and inspection of any clinical departments that use ionising radiation in their work. Our inspection methodology is targeted, risk-based and responsive.
Reactive inspections
If we are notified of an "exposure much greater than intended" we will investigate it, usually through correspondence or clarifying the circumstances by telephone. Very occasionally we will receive a notification which we believe requires detailed investigation at the hospital. This may involve taking formal witness statements, interviewing staff under caution, and investigating complaints from members of the public.
2009/10 inspection programme
In 2009/10 we will again carry out a proactive inspection programme across all clinical disciplines and in both the NHS and independent sectors. Our inspections will continue to be risk-based and we will continue to refine our methodologies. We will target trusts and independent healthcare providers and use intelligence gathered from external sources, along with data from our monitoring of the notifications we receive of exposures "much greater than intended", including nil returns.
