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HEALTH SERVICE USE OF IONISING AND NON-IONISING RADIATION Summary 1. This letter adds to the guidance given in NHS MEL(1993)79 - Health Service Use of Ionising and Non-Ionising Radiation by noting changes in legislation and means of enforcement relevant to the protection of patients, the publication by the Royal College of Radiologists of a Third Edition of its guidelines "Making the best use of a Department of Clinical Radiology" and the publication by the Medical Devices Agency of "Guidance on the Safe Use of Lasers in Medical and Dental Practice". Action 2. NHS Trusts and Island Health Boards should
Information 3. The Appendix to this letter provides further information; Annex A lists the Circulars and Letters replaced by this letter; Annexes B and C list legislation and guidance, additional to that listed in NHS MEL(1993)79, which is currently extant. Yours sincerely
PAUL WILSON Directorate of Trusts |
March 1997
Addressees For action: Chief Executives, NHS Trusts General Managers, Island Health Boards General Manager, State Hospitals Board for Scotland For information: General Managers, Mainland Health Boards General Manager, Common Services Agency General Manager, Health Education Board for Scotland Executive Director, SCPMDE Further enquiries (Administrative) (Technical) |
| APPENDIX | BACK to top of document |
1. IONISING RADIATION AND PATIENTS
2. THE USE OF LASERS
1.1 The Medicines (Administration of Radioactive Substances) Regulations 1978 (SI 1978 No 1006) - the "MARS Regulations".
1.1.1 The MARS Regulations 1978 provide that radioactive substances should be administered to patients only by doctors or dentists who hold relevant certificates or by persons acting under their directions and for means of granting those certificates. The Regulations have been amended by The Medicines (Administration of Radioactive Substances) (Amendment) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995 No 2147) which came into force on 11 September 1995. Attention is drawn in particular to the clarification that "directions" mean "written directions". The MARS Regulations are enforced on behalf of the Secretary of State by the Medicines Control Agency. Investigations under the Regulations are made in Scotland by officers of The Scottish Office Department of Health.
1.2 The Ionising Radiations (Protection of Persons Undergoing Medical Examination or Treatment) Regulations 1988 (SI 1988 No 778).
1.2.1 Regulation 11 provides that the enforcing authority for the Regulations shall be, for part of the Regulations, the Secretary of State and, for the remaining part, the Health and Safety Executive. An agreement with the Health and Safety Commission, which came into effect on 14 August 1995, provides that the enforcing authority in Scotland shall be, for Regulation 4, the Secretary of State, and for the remaining part of the Regulations, the Health and Safety Executive. Inspections under Regulation 4 are made on behalf of the Secretary of State by officers of the Scottish Office Department of Health.
1.3 Guidelines for doctors
The Royal College of Radiologists has published the Third Edition of "Making the best use of a Department of Clinical Radiology. Guidelines for Doctors" ISBN 1 872599 04 4.
2. The Use of Lasers
Guidance on the use of lasers is given in the report ‘Guidance on the safe use of lasers in medical and dental practice’ published in 1995 by The Medical Devices Agency of the Department of Health. This guidance replaces "Guidance on the safe use of lasers in medical practice" published by HMSO in 1984.
Attention is drawn in particular to those parts of the report which
advise the appointment of a Laser Protection Adviser
discuss the use of lasers in dentistry.
| ANNEX A | BACK to top of document |
The following have been replaced.
The administration of radioactive substances to persons. NHS 1979 GEN 44
Guidance on the safe user of lasers. NHS GEN 25
Administration of radioactive substances to persons. SHHD/DS 1984 44
The Ionising Radiations (Protection of Persons Undergoing Medical Examination or Treatment) Regulations 1988. NHS 1988 GEN 21
| ANNEX B | BACK to top of document |
The Medicines (Administration of Radioactive Substances) (Amendment)
Regulations 1995 1995 No 2147
ISBN 0 11 084006 2
The Radioactive Material (Road Transport) (Great Britain) Regulations
1996
1996 No 1350
ISBN 0 11 054742
| ANNEX C | BACK to top of document |
Guidance on the Safe Use of Lasers in Medical and Dental Practice
The Medical Devices Agency 1995
ISBN 1 85839 488 0
One copy has been sent to each health board and NHS Trust. Additional copies can be obtained from:
The Medical Devices Agency