IR(ME)R2017 – An Evolution of UK Medical Exposure Regulations

EC Directive 2013/59/Euratom –usually referred to as the Basic Safety Standards Directive (BSSD) –updates a number of previous EC Directives including the Medical Exposure Directive 97/43/Euratom. The transposing regulations for medical exposures have been produced by the Department of Health, in conjunction with the Health Departments of the Devolved Administrations, their enforcement bodies and HSE, following wide –ranging professional and public consultation. These Regulations – to be cited as the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2018 - are expected to come into force by 6 February 2018 and replace IR(ME)R2000 and MARS1978.

The Regulations will follow a similar approach to IR(ME)R2000 with duties on the employer, practitioner, operator and referrer. Regulations relating to justification and optimisation are largely unchanged. There are new requirements relating to licensing of administration of radioactive substances, accidental or unintended exposures and estimates of public dose. Requirements for equipment have been expanded, non-medical human imaging with medical radiological equipment has been introduced and two new Schedules have been added, relating to Licensing and the Medical Physics Expert.

This webinar considers the development of IR(ME)R from 2000 to 2018 and the resulting changes for UK practice relating to medical exposures.