IR(ME)R: Background and legislation

Healthcare Improvement Scotland enforce the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R) in Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.


Summary

The regulations impose duties on employers and those administering ionising radiation to protect people undergoing medical exposures in the following settings and situations:

  • medical diagnosis or treatment
  • research
  • asymptomatic individuals
  • those undergoing non-medical imaging using medical radiological equipment
  • carers and comforters of people undergoing medical exposures.

The regulations set out the responsibilities for radiation protection and the basic safety standards that duty holders must meet.

Duty holders are:

  • the employer
  • referrer
  • IR(ME)R practitioner and operator

The regulations apply to both NHSScotland and the independent healthcare sector.

Legislation and guidance