Global Initiative on Radiation Safety in Healthcare

Representatives of several international organizations, intergovernmental organizations, and professional societies met at the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva, 15 through 17 December, to discuss the WHO proposal on Radiation Safety in Healthcare Settings. This is an operational approach to mobilize the health sector towards safe and effective use of radiation in health care by developing and implementing a long term integrated quality and safety initiative. The initiative will bring together health authorities, international organizations, professional bodies, scientific societies, academic institutions, NGOs and experts in concerted action to improve implementation of radiation safety standards in medical settings. It seeks to complement the activities developed under the International Action Plan for Radiation Protection of Patients and the International Action on Plan on Occupational Radiation Protection established by the IAEA. It will establish initial priority areas including risk assessment, risk management and risk communication. A summary of the meeting drafted by IRPA E.C. Member, Bernard Le Guen, can be found on the IRPA Report and Documents page.