Of all the specialities, nuclear medicine is certainly the most regulated area of medical practice. The legislation and its associated guidance affecting the practice originates from the UK and Europe and covers a range of issues, from radiation storage, disposal, exposure to humans, and transport by road, to drugs, including their preparation, storage, disposal and administration. Not surprisingly, the domain is a minefield of intricate legal matters that require practitioners from all professional groups to meticulously comply with the law and leave a highly accurate audit trail of paperwork for possible external analysis. Thankfully, over many years, the ARSAC has provided us with simple-to-read Notes for Guidance which attempt to illustrate how one should conduct safe practice which operates within the law. In a pure sense, one could argue, of course, that provision of the Notes does extend beyond the intended ARSAC remit (as defined in the law), which was to advise the Health Minister about matters relating to the licensing of medical practitioners. Nonetheless, the Notes have always been highly valued and welcomed by the community. Thanks. The 1998 Notes were released in December 1998 and, as highlighted in their introduction, they 'can be considered to be a guide to good clinical practice in the UK for nuclear medicine', though like the Notes they replace, they are not mandatory. They present a readable and interesting compendium, covering many practical aspects of practice, are 69 pages long and well informed by suitable references, presented in the last three pages of the Notes. The names of those who have contributed are indicated in the preface - in fact, as far as I am aware, this is the first time the ARSAC has gone public with its membership. One assumes the 'membership' can be approached for advice about the workings of the ARSAC. As expected, the names represent a good cross-section of known and respected personalities in the field. If you have not read a copy of the Notes june I suggest you do so soon - whether you are training in the field or have been a practitioner for some time! And don't be afraid of reading them, they are not taxing. If you have not got a copy contact ARSAC Support Unit, National Radiological Protection Board, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 ORQ.
展开▼
