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European Governance in nuclear issues
Decommissioning of Nuclear Installations Transport of Radioactive Material |
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Radiation Protection
The medical exposure directive (97/43/Euratom) lays down the European Commission general principles of radiation protection of individuals in relation to medical exposure. Member States had to transpose it into national legislation until 13 May 2000. Article 6(2) of the directive requires Member States to ensure that recommendations concerning referral criteria for medical exposure are available to the prescribers of medical exposure. This booklet sets out referral guidelines that can be used by health professionals qualified to refer patients for imaging, in order to ensure that all examinations are well justified and optimised. This booklet has evolved from that previously published by the UK Royal College of Radiologists in 1998 entitled "Making the best use of a department of clinical radiology: guidelines for doctors". These referral guidelines have been adapted by experts representing European radiology and nuclear medicine, in conjunction with the UK Royal College of Radiologists, and may now be adopted as models for the Member States. These referral guidelines are not binding on Member States, and form part of a number of technical guides drawn up to facilitate implementation of the medical exposure directive. Local variations may be required according to healthcare practice and provision. Continued use of recommendations of this kind should improve clinical practice and lead to a reduction in the number of referrals for investigation and consequently to a reduction in associated medical radiation exposure.
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