The Ionising Radiation (Protection of Persons Undergoing Medical Examination or Treatment) Regulations 1988

Regulations 5 and 6

SCHEDULE CORE OF KNOWLEDGE AS TO RADIATION PROTECTION OF PATIENTS REQUISITE FOR PERSONS DIRECTING MEDICAL EXPOSURES

The following core of knowledge as to radiation protection of patients is that which a person physically directing medical exposures is expected to have acquired—

1.  Nature of ionising radiation and its interaction with tissue.

2.  Genetic and somatic effects of ionising radiation and how to assess their risks.

3.  The ranges of radiation dose that are given to a patient with a particular procedure, the principal factors which affect the dose and the methods of measuring such doses.

4.  The principles of quality assurance and quality control applied to both equipment and techniques.

5.  The principles of dose limitation and the various means of dose reduction to the patient including protection of the gonads.

6.  The specific requirements of women who are, or who may be, pregnant and also of children.

7.  If applicable, the precautions necessary for handling sealed and unsealed sources.

8.  The organisational arrangements for advice on radiation protection and how to deal with a suspected case of overexposure.

9.  Statutory responsibilities.

For those clinically directing medical exposure, the following additional knowledge should be acquired—

10.  In respect of the individual diagnostic and therapeutic procedures which the person intends to use, the clinical value of those procedures in relation to other available techniques used for the same or similar purposes.

11.  The importance of utilising existing radiological information — films and/or reports — about a patient. value of those procedures in relation to other available techniques used for the same or similar purposes.

11.  The importance of utilising existing radiological information — films and/or reports — about a patient.