The Medical Exposures Group (MEG) in UKHSA is a multi-disciplinary group of clinically trained and experienced staff from each of the radiological modalities: Diagnostic Imaging (DI), Nuclear Medicine (NM) and Radiotherapy (RT).
Across the UK, ionising radiation is increasingly used within many patient pathways for the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of clinical conditions. The clear benefits from exposure to ionising radiation need to be weighed against the associated risks.
Medical exposures include those undertaken as part of diagnosis, treatment, health screening programmes, individual health assessments, research and for non-medical purposes e.g. insurance claims, emigration, employment etc.
MEG is tasked with improving patient safety in medical exposures through:
- Providing relevant up to date advice on safe clinical practice, radiation protection issues and regulatory matters (specifically the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R, which is intended to protect the patient from the hazards associated with ionising radiation) across the UK
- A planned programme of work
- Supporting the IR(ME)R enforcing authorities in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
- Clinical site visits for the NHS and independent sector