Inclusive pregnancy status guidelines for ionising radiation: Diagnostic and therapeutic exposures
This guidance and associated resources will support services to comply with the requirements of the legislative framework governing practice.
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IR(ME)R 2024
Please note this guidance is currently being updated in line with the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) (Amendment) Regulations 2024, which came into force on October 1st 2024. These changes are necessary to ensure compliance with the latest regulations, reflecting updated practices for radiation protection and patient safety in medical imaging and radiotherapy. For more information, please see here.
Introduction
Inclusive practice or behaving in a way that makes all people or groups of people feel included and valued, is integral to effective healthcare. The SoR believes the radiographic workforce should recognise and feel confident to use the preferred terminology of individuals in their care and be led by the narrative chosen by the person with whom they are communicating.
This guidance and associated resources – the checklist, patient questionnaires, patient information leaflet and patient poster – will support services to comply with the requirements of the legislative framework governing practice. It will improve understanding of the complexities associated with the health and care needs of two distinct groups: those with gender diversity and those with diversity in their physical sex characteristics.
The guidance introduces the Inclusive Pregnancy Status (IPS) form for diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy; a questionnaire that enables patients and healthcare professionals to work together to sensitively build a picture of an individual patient’s needs, gain informed consent and keep appropriate documented records.
Patient information posters and a PAUSED and check poster are provided as easy access go to resources.
ISBN: 978-1-909802-68-1
Associated resources
- Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine Iclusive Pregnancy Status (IPS) Form | Age 12-55
- Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine IPS Form | Age 12-55
- Nuclear Medicine Therapy IPS Form | Age 12-55
- What is the IPS Diagnostic Imaging & Nuclear Medicine A4 Poster
- Diagnostic Imaging & Nuclear Medicine IPS A5 Leaflet
- Radiotherapy IPS Form | Age 10-55
- Radiotherapy IPS Form | Age 12-55
- What is the IPS Radiotherapy A4 Poster
- Radiotherapy IPS A5 Leaflet
- PAUSED and Checked for pregnancy A4 Poster
- PAUSED and Checked for pregnancy and breastfeeding in Nuclear Medicine A4 Poster
- Introducing ‘Inclusive Pregnancy Status’ Guidance webinar and Training Videos
- Enhancing Inclusive Practice Training Webinars
To assist with training and education, this video produced by Live Through This and United Kingdom Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS) provides a valuable guide to the use of pronouns and gender inclusive language.
Frequently asked questions about radiation protection matters and the Inclusive Pregnancy Status Guidance can be found here.
Please note: Colleagues wishing to access the recorded webinar, who are not members of the Society of Radiographers, but who work under your IR(ME)R employers procedures, can contact [email protected] for assistance.
To find help and support with matters related to protected characteristics (such as race, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, disability, religion etc) and to find out how you can contribute to equalities matters within the SoR please contact our safe space forum Equalise.