Midland Lead supports BIR in launch of new radiation safety guidance for healthcare professionals
Midland Lead Healthcare is proud to support The British Institute of Radiology (BIR) in launching new radiation safety guidance for healthcare professionals. The campaign aims to reduce staff’s exposure to radiation and broaden their knowledge on radiation safety both in and beyond the radiology department.
The initiative includes a number of information materials including a book on personal protection equipment (PPE), posters and videos. These resources not only set out the regulations in place but give healthcare staff practical advice on the correct specification of aprons and glasses, how they should be worn to ensure maximum protection and how to minimise damage when storing.
The issue of radiation protection is becoming increasingly important within the NHS due to the increase in the use of diagnostic imaging procedures which emit harmful ionising radiation. Both healthcare professionals and patients today are exposed to greater average dosage levels than ever before. Most of this increase is due to a rise in the number of CT procedures which deliver a higher radiation dose than conventional x-ray examinations. According to NHS statistics the number of CT scans conducted in hospitals in England increased from 1 million in 1996/97 to 5 million 2012/13.
The need to establish a strong culture of radiation safety throughout the healthcare sector which is on par with that within the nuclear sector is therefore paramount as the risk to radiation is of a similar magnitude. This initiative is a welcome step in raising the awareness and knowledge of healthcare staff of the importance of radiation safety. The resources can be used by radiologists, trainees, radiographers at all levels, radiology managers, radiation protection advisors (RPAs), medical physicists, vets, dentists, nurses and clinical application specialists.
Warren Goodall, Business Development Manager at Midland Lead Healthcare says “We are very pleased to support the BIR in producing this resource which educates and reminds staff of the importance of radiation safety in their day to day work. As an expert in the manufacture and supply of radiation protection products, reducing the risk of exposure to ionising radiation is always our top priority and our sponsorship of the posters and video supports this”.
If you would like a copy of the book or posters they are available to purchase from https://birorgukportal.force.com/BookList (special discount for BIR members) and the videos can be viewed on YouTube:
