Non-Medical Referrers for Radiological Exams

Protocol for Nurses, Paramedics, Clinical Pharmacists, Physiotherapists and Podiatrists employed by General Practice (“GP”) or Primary Care Networks (“PCN”) within Devon & Cornwall.

Registration

Prior to referring for imaging at any of the involved Trusts, there must be an application made.  This may be as a ‘new Non-Medical Referrer’ or, if already entitled at one of the other participating Trusts, an application to referrer into their service.  Both applications are the same, but the requirement for further IR(ME)R training is not required for those entitled as long as this is up-to-date…

Non-Medical Referrer (“NMR”) are registered healthcare professionals who are entitled to request diagnostic imaging using ionising radiation. 

This “Referrer” entitlement is provided by each individual Radiology service under the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposures) Regulations 2017 (“IR(ME)R 2017”), with administration of this process undertaken by the Radiology department who maintain a register of entitled NMRs, and manage the governance processes surrounding “NMR” requesting. 

These processes are in line with professional best practice guidance and legislative responsibilities for each Trust.

Applications will only be accepted for healthcare professionals registered with one of the registered bodies.

Protocol

Protocol for requesting Radiological Examinations by named Nurses, Paramedics, Clinical Pharmacists, Physiotherapists and Podiatrists employed by General Practice (“GP”) or Primary Care Networks (“PCN”) within Devon & Cornwall.

It is a requirement you read this protocol prior to applying to the appropriate site for entitlement.

3 Yearly audit and re-entitlement

Alongside repeating their “IR(ME)R” training at 3-yearly intervals, each “NMR” is expected to undertake a 3-yearly audit of their requesting practice.  Please see the link below for a template of this process. Results should be submitted to the entitling department/s.

Applications for non-medical referrer entitlement

Please see listed below for available hospital sites. Please note once applications have been received entitlement to referrer can take up to 3 months.  You will be sent a confirmation email of your entitlement.  Please do not place any requests until you have received your confirmation email.