healthcare

One of the first practical uses of ionising radiation was in medicine. The imaging potential of x-rays was quickly recognised and exploited as was the effectiveness of radium to kill cancer cells. The use of ionising radiation in medicine continues to grow today with the use of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) becoming more widespread and new fields, such as proton and boron neutron capture radiotherapy and dark field x-ray imaging, being explored.

Aurora has experience of providing practical radiation protection advice in a variety of hospital environments, from large general hospitals to small private clinics. This covers applications including:

• Oncology - linear accelerators (linacs), orthovoltage units, brachytherapy, gamma knife facilities, CT simulators.
• Nuclear medicine - patient waiting areas, isotope rooms (therapeutic procedures), patient bathroom facilities, radioactive source preparation and handling areas, radioactive waste storage and disposal.
• Radiology - CT, breast services, dental.
• Medical physics - dosimetry laboratories, equipment test facilities.
• Cardiology.
• Neurology.
• Laboratories - especially in teaching hospitals.
• Specialist clinics - chest, osteopathy.
• Decommissioning and decontamination of redundant radiological health facilities.  

We have experience of supporting employers from the early design stages, considering radiation protection requirements such as installed shielding and also more practical clinical requirements, such as patient movement, through the commissioning stages, including critical examination assessments, to ongoing operation. The latter includes assistance with preparing risk assessments and local rules, providing radiation safety training for key staff, such as the Radiation Protection Supervisor, and providing a quality assurance service for diagnostic radiology equipment.

In addition to providing advice on compliance with The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR99), through our State Registered Clinical Scientists, qualified to act as Medical Physics Experts (MPE), we can help employers to comply with The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposures) Regulations 2000 (IRMER). This includes assistance with the preparation of the required employer procedures and the provision of a patient dosimetry service for diagnostic procedures, e.g. monitoring patient doses and setting Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs).

We can also assist employers who are looking to procure radioactive sources such as those used in high dose rate radiotherapy, brachytherapy and gamma knife equipment to apply for Environment Agency registration certificates, including complying any necessary source security arrangements.

Aurora has experience of providing laser safety advice to a number of NHS Trusts and private clinics who utilise lasers for endoscopy, opthalmic procedures and dermal treatements.