The number of reported radiation incidents has increased by 16% over the last year, according to The Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) annual IR(ME)R report.
During 2015 a total of 1,277 notifications were sent to the CQC, an increase on the previous year's total of 1,103.
The report indicates that the increase in notifications is partly the result of an increase in activity taking place and more clinicians recognising the importance of reporting incidents of over-exposure.
Of all the notifications, 1,027 (81% of the total) were from diagnostic radiology departments, 52 were from nuclear medicine and 198 notifications were from radiotherapy departments.
The report also states that while the number of notifications may seem relatively high, it should be set against the context of an estimated 40 million procedures each year which expose patients to radiation.
Notifications relate to incidents where patients receive radiation exposures that are 'much greater than intended', this does not mean that incidents reported have resulted in harm.