Services Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering Medical Physics Clinical Engineering

 

 

 

The East Anglian Regional Radiation Protection Service (EARRPS) is concerned with the safe use of all forms of radiation: primarily X-rays and radioactivity but also lasers, electromagnetic radiation and ultrasound. EARRPS co-ordinates the legally required radiation protection work throughout the region and promotes the understanding of current legislation and best practice.

 

Physicists advise Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on the safe use of all forms of radiation such as X-rays, lasers and ultraviolet.

 

In addition, physicists act as Radiation Protection Advisers to other users of radiation throughout East Anglia including:

• University departments

• Dentists

• Other hospitals

• Laboratories

 In this capacity, we offer expert advice to keep radiation doses to patients, staff and the public as low as reasonably practicable. In addition we advise on the safe storage, use and disposal of radioactive materials in accordance with Government legislation, and on the doses of radiation that are received by patients during clinical procedures. We also run various courses on radiation safety for different staff groups.

 

In addition to routine testing and calibration of equipment, including that of the NHS Mammography Screening Programme, the division also liaises with local authorities to develop action plans in the event of any large-scale radiation accident.

 

The section also provides the Cambridge Personal Radiation Monitoring Service. This Service monitors the exposure to radiation that might be experienced by employees, both in hospitals and in other radiation work. This is an ISO 9002 accredited service, and the Department has over 50 years of experience in this field.

 

 

Personal Monitoring Service

The Personal Monitoring Service is financially independent, generating income both from within the Trust and from external sources such as the University, Fire Department, dental surgeries and veterinary practices. The Service has been operational for over 50 years and currently issues about 4,000 dosemeters per month.

 

Two systems of measuring personal radiation doses are provided: the common Film Badge and the thermoluminescent dosemeter (TLD) - these are particularly useful for monitoring bodily extremities.  We are also researching how to make TLDs less cumbersome.

 

Dosemeters can be issued for use over 1 or 2 months according to the likelihood of exposure.  Normal processing time is 14 days but an emergency service is available with a 24-hour turnaround.  The service is approved by the Health & Safety Executive.

 

For more information on the Personal Radiation Monitoring Service, please contact Tony Moulds on 01223 216 397.

 

 

From the National Radiological Protection Board:

> X-rays how safe are they?

 

 

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