About IR(ME)R

 

Under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2024 IR(ME)R24 no medical exposure to radiation can take place without prior justification of the exposure by a practitioner

Referrers should provide sufficient medical data relevant to medical exposure requesting to enable the practitioner to decide whether there is net benefit

Any referral not meeting the criteria will be rejected as unjustified

• Radiology Employers Procedures includes:

EP1 schedule 2 (a) procedure to correctly identify the individual to be exposed to ionising Radiation (also applicable for all examinations including ultrasound and MRI)

EP2 – Schedule 2(p) making, amending and cancelling referrals; Referral Criteria link

EP3 – Schedule 2(b)– Procedure to entitle and identify individuals’ entitlement to act as referrer, practitioner operator (including training requirements)

EP4 procedures for making enquiries of individuals of childbearing capacity to establish whether they may be pregnant or breast feeding.

EP5 schedule 2 (d) Quality assurance

EP 6 Schedule 2 (e) – Dose Optimisation / Assessment of patient dose procedure for the assessment of patient dose

EP 7 – Schedule 2 (f)– procedure for use of DRLs use and review

EP 8 – Schedule 2 (g) – Exposure of individuals in medical research

EP 9 – Schedule 2 (h)– Information & written instructions for the administration of Radiological activity

EP 10 – Schedule 2 (i) – Provision of information regarding the radiation risks & benefits to patients

EP 11 – Schedule 2 (j) – Evaluation of exposure: Procedure for carrying out and recording clinical evaluation for each medical exposure

EP 12 – Schedule 2 (k) & (l) – Accidental & Unintended exposures procedure to ensure accidental and unintended doses are minimised

EP 13 – Schedule 2 (m) – Non-Medical Imaging

EP 14 – Schedule 2 (n) – Dose constraints & Guidance for Carers &Comforters

EP 15 Schedule 2(o) Carrying out of clinical audit

• WP Med Updates (Guidance re appropriate investigations by condition)
• Radiology Employer’s Procedures
• Adult Non Obstetric Ultrasound Guidelines (West Midlands Imaging Network June 2025)
• Protocols 2025 (Standard Projections Guidance)
• Breastfeeding guidance
• Electrical and other Implant Policy
• Pregnant Patient Guidance
• DEXA Service and Protocols including FRAX guidelines

About Investigations

• Computerised Tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Ultrasound
• Interventional Radiology Suite
• X-Ray
• Dexa Scan (Bone Density Scan)

Patient Information

• Your CT scan 
• Your CT Colonography scan
• Your X-Ray
• Your GP chest X-ray and possible onward CT
• Medical Imaging – What you need to know