IR(ME)R training
Dates: May 22, September 25, November 27, 2008
Venue: Hammersmith Conference Centre
Registration
If you wish to attend please complete the registration form (see below) and return it with your payment (if applicable). Once we have received your registration form we will issue a receipt and joining instructions. Please do not book any travel or accommodation until you have received these from us. Please remember that places are limited.
If you are attending the training as an internal candidate (ie you have not paid a fee) you will need to download a copy of the course notes. A link will be sent to you with updated notes one week prior to the course date.
Internal delegates
Registration is available free of charge for internal delegates or those holding an honorary contract with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. Please use the internal delegates registration form (PDF, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, free download).
External delegates
Please use the external delegates registration form. Acceptable methods of payment are listed on the form.
IR(ME)R information
A new set of Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations
(IR(ME)R) came into effect in 2000 to replace the old Protection of Persons Undergoing Medical Examination or Treatment (POPUMET) regulations.
The IR(ME)R regulations, which are concerned with the use of ionising radiation (X-rays), define three categories of worker. Each of the groups below have a specific duty to ensure procedures are carried out safely:
• Employer
• Referrer
• Practitioner
• Operator
Employer
Your employer has a legal responsibility to ensure that you have received appropriate theoretical and practical training for your job and to keep a record of this training.
External delegates please note that this course provides theoretical training only; practical training needs to be relevant to the equipment used and your speciality and must therefore be arranged and undertaken at your own base hospital.
Referrer
All doctors act as referrers, i.e. they request that X-ray investigations be undertaken and provide the information that allows the practitioner and operator to undertake the most appropriate examination. Although not in contact with radiation itself, and therefore not required to undertake the training course, the referrer has a legal obligation to provide the necessary information. This is done by completing the request form accurately and legibly. Guidelines are available from the Royal College of Radiologists to help referrers choose the correct imaging for their patients.
Operator and practitioner
Some doctors will also act as operators and/or practitioners, i.e. they will undertake or directly instruct someone else to undertake an X-ray investigation, e.g. radiologists, radiotherapists, cardiologists, gastroenterologists, urologists, orthopaedic surgeons, etc. These people do require IR(ME)R training.
It is important to note that radiology and radiotherapy staff are exempt from further training because they have received appropriate training in ionising radiation when completing their radiology/radiotherapy training.
Under the regulations all who act as either operators or practitioners as defined by the regulations, i.e. anyone who either authorises the use of or delivers ionising radiation, are legally required to have received certified training.
