IRS are one of the largest single radiation protection advisers to the Veterinary field.
We have the capability and experience to meet your requirements.
IRS has a team of highly experienced RPAs who can help you fulfil all legal radiation protection requirements that apply to your Veterinary practice(s).
All IRS RPAs are accredited by RPA 2000, which is a recognised accreditation agent by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). We also hold corporate accreditation as an RPA body with HSE. This ensures IRS can provide co-ordinated, expert advice to national standards.
IRS’s longstanding involvement in the Veterinary field, coupled with our industry-leading training programmes enable us to operate at the forefront of Veterinary radiology and its evolving technology. For example, IRS is actively supporting Veterinary practices set up new service areas involving Computed Tomography (CT), Nuclear Medicine and Lasers. We have also provided advice and guidance for Veterinary customers implementing dental services, helping to create a multi-modality imaging environment that supports business growth and development.
Working together, we can assist in the implementation of safe working procedures for you and your staff.
IRS is available for consultation on all appropriate requirements of the current Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR 17).
Please note; there are no legal/regulatory requirements for an RPA to visit a practice. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure compliance with all regulations.
The RCVS require sites that are seeking accreditation,or are accredited to RCVS’s ‘General Practice’ standard (or higher) in their Practice Standards Scheme (PSS), have an RPA visit at least once every four years.
Sites that are not seeking accreditation to RCVS PSS, or are seeking accreditation to ‘Core Standards’ only, do not need an RPA visit.
Please see ‘IRS recommendations’ for whether a visit is recommended.
| IRS’s service package | Details |
| Standard Package |
Includes RPA appointment, provision of provision of IRS’s latest radiation protection documentation and templates, and an online compliance audit.
RPA consultants are available from Mon – Fri between 9 am – 5 pm by telephone or email via advice@irs-limited.com. 3-year contract |
| RPA Visit Package | Includes all items of IRS’s Standard Package, with the addition of an RPA visit within the 4-year period.
4-year contract |
IRS recommends the RPA Visit package for the following sites:
Please contact a member of our Support Team at advice@irs-limited.com for further assistance.
If you have signed up to IRS’s standard package (excluding RPA visits), but subsequently require an RPA visit, you may request a quote from sales@irs-limited.com.
To support our consultancy/advisory functions, IRS has extensive experience in the provision of equipment performance and environmental monitoring surveys.
Over the past 40 years, IRS staff have played a pioneering role in the development of X-ray equipment performance measurements within the UK, as evidenced by our long history of forefront research and scientific publication. During this period, X-ray equipment has undergone significant technological development. However, IRS continues to provide the most up-to-date service, working closely with Veterinary practices Nationwide.
We provide up to date acceptance testing and routine performance checks on all X-Ray imaging equipment encountered in veterinary practice. This includes:
IRS is a recognised training provider and proud holders of the Investors In People (IIP) award. We ensure all our scientific and technical staff are trained to the appropriate National standards. This enables us to deliver comprehensive services to the evolving field of medical imaging.
IRS provides a wide range of personnel and environmental (e.g. X-ray and Radon) radiation monitoring services. These services will help you monitor the effective and equivalent doses received by any of your staff who may be exposed to ionising radiations.
Where background levels of radiation are a consideration (e.g. in a high radon level area), IRS’s dosimetry monitoring services will help employers provide safe working environments for their staff and the general public.
IRS’s dosimetry service is integrated fully with our RPA function. This means that, should you choose IRS as your RPA, we will be fully informed of any untoward dose levels that may occur and can support your practice in dealing with this type of situation immediately. As your RPA, IRS would also offer you comprehensive advice on the most appropriate monitoring regime for your practice.
We ensure our customers receive a coherent and cost-effective service in line with modern technological developments, whether they are new types of X-Ray equipment, or innovative dosimetric monitoring techniques.
IRS provides Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dosemeters, Thermo-Luminescent Dosemeters (TLD) and direct-reading electronic dosimeters, with whole body or extremity monitoring available as required. These latter dosemeters are particularly useful when monitoring staff for a limited period of time, i.e. during pregnancy, or in the event that on-going dose reports may be required.
We can also supply passive radon detection monitors. These monitors utilise passive alpha-track detection technology and can monitor atmospheric radon concentrations in the workplace.
Our flexible and competitively-priced personnel monitoring service can supply monitors to be worn for periods of one, two or three months. Monitors can be supplied continuously, periodically or on a one-off basis. All monitoring services come with the ability to view your dose reports online and are approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
For more information about IRS’s Dosimetry Services or to place an order, please see our Dosimetry Services page.
IRS has extensive practical experience in the provision of radiation protection services to the veterinary community. We bring this detailed practical knowledge, coupled with our in-depth understanding of the appropriate UK legislation, to all educational and training activities within the veterinary field.
The use of ionising radiation for veterinary patient care is now well established. Such uses now span the full range of imaging modalities, involving:
We are able to ensure that participants on all our courses for veterinary practitioners are fully informed on the necessary legislative requirements under the Ionising Radiations Regulations (IRR) 2017.
For more detailed information on the courses we provide to the veterinary sector, or to book a place at one of our regular events, please see the Education and Training Courses section of our website.