Merlin Park University Hospital welcomes publication of HIQA report following inspection

Merlin Park University Hospital (MPUH) welcomes the publication by Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) of its report of the assessment of compliance with medical exposure to ionizing radiation regulations at MPUH.

An announced inspection at MPUH was carried out at the hospital on the 20th of March 2024. Inspectors visited the DXA and general X-ray departments in MPUH.

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 and 2019.

A medical exposure to ionising radiation is when a patient receives ionising radiation as part of their diagnosis or treatment.

During this inspection, HIQA looked at 13 Standards in relation to governance and management arrangements for medical exposures and safe delivery of medical exposures. Of these, Merlin Park University Hospital was compliant with 9 standards and substantially compliant with 4 standards.

Chris Kane, Hospital Manager at Galway University Hospitals which encompasses Merlin Park University Hospital said, “We welcome this report and recognise the important and valuable role of HIQA in promoting safety and quality in the healthcare services. Regulation drives better, safer care for patients and regulation of medical exposures helps ensure that each hospital that administers radiation meets Irish and European legislative requirements. This report highlights many areas where we are compliant and some areas that will need improvement but overall is a positive report for MPUH and we welcome the fact that the inspectors were assured we have strong radiation safety measures in place to protect patients and staff and we will work to strengthen this in areas identified.

“I would like to acknowledge the on-going commitment and dedication of our staff in providing a patient centred approach and we will work together to build on the good practice highlighted in this report.”