A report has been published into an inspection held at Our Lady’s Hospital Manorhamilton.
According to the latest HIQA report, an announced inspection was carried out on December 4th 2024, at the DXA and general X-ray departments.
Out of 12 standards in relation to governance and management arrangements for medical exposures and safe delivery of medical exposures, the hospital was compliant in 10, substantially compliant in one, and non compliant in another.
The non compliance applied to the regulation of undertaking, where some work was needed in the recording of updating and ratifying radiation safety related Policies, Procedures, Protocols and Guidelines.
Also, information relating to patient exposure did not consistently form part of the reports reviewed.
However the report has been welcomed by Grainne McCann, Hospital Manager at Sligo University Hospital which encompasses Our Lady’s Hospital Manorhamilton, who confirmed that an improvement plan is in place to progress with necessary actions, a number of which are already completed.
And people have also been reassured that strong radiation safety measures are in place at the Hospital to protect all patients and staff.
HSE statement in full:
Our Lady’s Hospital Manorhamilton (OLHM) has welcomed the publication by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) of its report of the assessment of compliance with medical exposure to ionizing radiation regulations at Our Lady’s Hospital.
An announced inspection at Our Lady’s Hospital was carried out on December 4th 2024. Inspectors visited the DXA and general X-ray departments in OLHM.
This inspection was 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, as amended.
The regulations set the minimum standards for the protection of service users exposed to ionising radiation for clinical or research purposes.
During this inspection, HIQA looked at 12 Standards in relation to governance and management arrangements for medical exposures and safe delivery of medical exposures. Of these, Our Lady’s Hospital was compliant with ten standards, substantially compliant with one standard and non-compliant with one standard.
Grainne McCann, Hospital Manager at Sligo University Hospital which encompasses Our Lady’s Hospital Manorhamilton said “We welcome this report and recognise the important and valuable role of HIQA in promoting safety and quality in the healthcare services. This report emphasizes many areas where we are compliant and some areas that require improvement. An improvement plan is in place to progress with necessary actions, a number of which are already completed. A new action log has been developed by the Radiation Safety Committee(RSC) to assist RSC members allocate responsibilities and associated timelines in completing tasks actioned at RSC meetings.
A Clinical Audit Strategy document for radiological procedures involving ionising radiation will also be ratified at the next RSC meeting in March 2025.
This is overall a positive report for OLHM. Inspectors were assured we have strong radiation safety measures in place to protect our patients and staff and we will continue to strengthen these in the areas identified.”
