Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 15 inspection reports assessing compliance with medical exposure to ionising radiation regulations in 11 public and four private facilities. Two facilities were dental facilities, and the remainder were medical facilities. 

Of the 15 facilities inspected, HIQA found Alliance Medical @ Laya Health and Wellbeing Clinic Little Island and Health Service Executive (HSE) Orthodontic & Restorative Service St Camillus Hospital were fully compliant with all regulations assessed on the day of inspection. 

High levels of compliance were found in the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh, Bon Secours Hospital Dublin, St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network at St James Hospital, University Hospital Kerry, and Roscommon University Hospital.

Overall, inspectors observed several examples of good practice in the facilities inspected, demonstrating efforts to ensure safe and optimised medical exposures for service users. Examples included:

• the development of new policies and procedures aligned with recent regulatory amendments in Beaumont Hospital, the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh and Alliance Medical @ Laya Health and Wellbeing Clinic Little Island
• a positive use of the clinical audit process to reinforce patient dose optimisation by Bon Secours Hospital Dublin and HSE Orthodontic & Restorative Service St Camillus Hospital.

In 3Dental Galway inspectors were not satisfied that the undertaking had taken the appropriate steps to ensure that all dentists involved in the conduct of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) procedures had successfully completed full training as prescribed by the Dental Council and required under Regulation 22. The undertaking was required to provide an immediate response to assure HIQA that all risks were being addressed.

10 of the 15 inspections involved re-inspections and inspectors identified in many instances that effective actions had been implemented to improve compliance with the regulations since the previous inspections. For example, significant work was noted in University Hospital Kerry, Roscommon University Hospital, MRH Tullamore, and the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital resulting in improved levels of compliance.

However, in some facilities, additional action was still required to achieve full regulatory compliance. For example, further regulatory engagement was required with University Hospital Limerick to assure inspectors that the undertaking had sufficient arrangements to ensure that the resourcing of medical physics expertise supported radiation protection which had impacted a number of regulatory requirements. Initial action taken by the undertaking with further follow up by HIQA in 2026 provided assurance that the risks were being adequately addressed. 

In addition, it was found that more work was also required by Cork University Hospital to address non-compliances identified. While some urgent risks identified in a previous inspection had been addressed within defined timelines, inspectors found that more needs to be done to improve regulatory compliance. Specifically, they noted gaps identified in both this and the previous inspection. Additionally, greater efforts are needed to strengthen the governance, oversight, and management of radiation protection of service users undergoing medical exposures at the hospital.

Where non-compliance with the regulations was identified, undertakings were required to submit a compliance plan outlining how they will come into compliance with the regulations. HIQA continues to engage with facilities where non-compliances are found.

Notes:

• The 15 inspection reports published today relate to 11 public and four private facilities, and the associated undertakings, include the following:
  • Affidea Portlaoise (Affidea Diagnostics Ireland Ltd)
  • Alliance Medical @ Laya Health and Wellbeing Clinic Little Island (Alliance Medical Diagnostic Imaging Ltd)
  • Beaumont Hospital (Beaumont Hospital)
  • Bon Secours Hospital Dublin (Bon Secours Health System)
  • Cork University Hospital (Health Service Executive)
  • HSE Orthodontic & Restorative Service St Camillus Hospital (Health Service Executive
  • Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (Mater Misericordiae University Hospital)
  • MRH Tullamore (Health Service Executive)
  • National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh (National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh)
  • Roscommon University Hospital (Health Service Executive)
  • St. Dympna's Hospital Carlow (Health Service Executive)
  • St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network at St James Hospital (Health Service Executive)
  • University Hospital Kerry (Health Service Executive)
  • University Hospital Limerick (Health Service Executive)
  • 3Dental Galway (3Dental)
• These inspections were carried out to assess compliance with the European Union (Basic Safety Standards for Protection Against Dangers Arising from Medical Exposure to Ionising Radiation) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 256 of 2018), as amended.
• Since 2019, HIQA is the competent authority for patient protection in relation to medical exposure to ionising radiation in Ireland following the transposition of the European Commission Basic Safety Standards Directive 2013/59/Euratom into Irish law. 
• Medical exposure to ionising radiation occurs when radiation is used as part of diagnosis such as an x-ray or computed tomography scan, or the use of radiotherapy as part of cancer treatment at a hospital. It also includes radiation received for medical research purposes and radiation received by carers and comforters while attending to a patient. The regulations also include medical exposures used as part of a dental assessment, such as a dental x-ray.
• An undertaking is a person or body who has the legal responsibility for carrying out, or engaging others to carry out a medical radiological practice, or the practical aspects of a medical radiological procedure, as defined by the regulations.