Course dates
Monday 28 April - Friday 2 May 2025
Venue
The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey, UK.
Course overview
The course is organised by the Joint Department of Physics of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research.
The course provides the theoretical background and training necessary for the radiological protection requirements of both ionising and non-ionising radiations used in hospitals. Although derived from an international framework the course content centres on UK Legislation
The main 4 day module (Monday until Thursday) covers the following subject areas: radiation risks, dosimetry, biological effects, instrumentation, legislation, transport, emergencies, and safe practice in the medical uses of ionising radiations.
The additional (optional) 1 day module on Friday covers non-ionising radiation protection. As well as lectures, there will be small informal workshop sessions covering a range of practical issues.
The course is at a level suitable for hospital physicists working in the field of radiation protection or those who want to expand their knowledge in this field. It is particularly suitable for those wishing to become Radiation Protection Advisers (RPA) and covers the Basic Underpinning Knowledge (Basic Syllabus) as set out in Annex 3 of the HSE statement on Radiation Protection Advisers.
Those wishing to use the course towards RPA certification can sit an optional marked short exam.
This is a CPD course approved by IPEM.
Provisional lecture list
Day 1: Review and effects of radiation
- Interactions and units
- Instrumentation
- Sources of exposure
- Risks and effects
- Other Legislation
- Radiation protection framework
Day 2: Statutory requirements
- IRR17
- IR(ME)R17
- Other legislation and guidance
Day 3: Radiation protection in hospitals
- Diagnostic radiology
- External beam radiotherapy
- Brachytherapy
- Nuclear medicine & PET
Day 4: The role of the RPA & Emergencies
- Radiation Incidents and Emergencies
- Giving Sound RPA Advice
- RPA certification
- Guest lecture
- Optional Assessment
Day 5: Non-Ionising radiation protection (optional)
- Safety issues in MRI
- Ultrasound
- Ultra-violet
- Medical lasers
- Microwave and RF lasers
Days 1–4 Workshops
- RPA Role play
- Risk assessments
- RPA Auditing
- RPA Case Studies
(The organisers may need to alter the final programme to fulfil practical commitments.)
Registration & Course fees
Registration Form
All current course registration fees are given on our registration form.
The cost includes lunches and light refreshments. Lecture notes and a certificate of attendance are provided. A course meal is included on the first evening of the course.
Please note – a discount applies to payments received by 28th February 2025.
You will be allocated a place on receipt of a completed registration form and a valid quoted payment reference/purchase order or completed bank transfer. We are unable to accept provisional bookings.
Early booking is advised as the number of participants is limited to provide a friendly open forum for debate and to assist in the running of the workshops. Applications from outside the UK are welcome.
Closing date for registrations – 11 April 2025
Related documents
Provisional Timetable
Sutton site map
Contacts
Course organiser: Dr Iain Murray (Royal Marsden Hospital)
Tel: +44 (0)20 8661 3717
For registration details and any other queries contact:
Course administrator: Mrs Jessica Keegan
Tel: +44 (0)20 8661 3075
