Referrals from non-medical professionals
Non-medically qualified registered healthcare professionals such as chiropractors, osteopaths, physiotherapists, podiatrists, and chiropodists, may be entitled to refer patients for x-rays as part of their role.
All non-medical referrers (NMR) must complete appropriate IR(ME)R training to be entitled as a referrer to Cobalt Imaging Centre for x-ray.
This training should cover the following topics:
- Principles of radiation protection.
- Benefits and risks of x-ray examinations, including radiation dose levels and the use of appropriate low dose, or non-ionising alternative examinations.
- Ionising Radiation Regulations (IRR) 2017 and the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposures) Regulations (IR(ME)R 2017 regulations.
- Responsibilities of Non-Medical Referrers in relation to patient safety and clinical governance.
- Professional and legislative responsibilities.
Any patient referral needs to be within Cobalt’s Referrers Scope of Practice.
Start referring to Cobalt in three easy steps
Training requirements
Please note that you may choose to complete either training option. You do not need to complete both. Training must be updated every three years.
e-LfH – e-IRMER modules
e-IRMER module 01
| Radiation Hazards and Dosimetry
Special Circumstances
|
e-IRMER module 02
| Patient Selection
|
e-IRMER module 03
| Regulations
|
Access to e-Lfh is free for some professionals through professional organisations, such as the Royal College of Chiropractors, or by those with an OpenAthens account.
If you do not qualify for free access to e-learning for healthcare, access to the course can be purchased through e-Integrity: IRMER Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations Course (eintegrity.org).
Imaging Innovated: IRMER Radiation Protection Training for Referrers (online half day course)
IRMER Radiation Protection Training for Referrers
This course for AHP Referrers, Advanced Practitioners and Medics consists of 1x half day live interactive online study.
Course Focus
This course focusses on the referral of patients for x-ray imaging and discusses the principles of risk vs benefit approach to referral, the biological effects of radiation and the role and responsibilities of the referrer within the legal framework of IR(ME)R2017 legislation.
IRMER training is usually required by imaging departments prior to referral for x-ray imaging.
It is available to all professional groups including Medics, Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Nurses currently referring, or looking to refer patients for diagnostic imaging.
Delivery
Delivered by Radiographers and other medical imaging professionals, the live interactive study days feature chat, polling and discussion groups.
Book today for 15% off
Cobalt is able to offer referrers a 15% discount with Imaging Innovated until May 2024. Use code ‘COB15’ when booking.
X-ray suite
Medical Charity Cobalt has recently upgraded its x-ray suite with a premium system incorporating the latest technology and advanced features, producing higher-quality images without any increase in radiation dose.
The new modern suite has been up and running since March 2023 and it has received some lovely feedback from patients.
