John Kenward MRCVS, a director of Maidstone practice Pet Emergency Treatment Services, has been given a conditional discharge for allowing an employee to X-ray her own foot after a horse stamped on it.
Maidstone Magistrates heard that the employee, a 25 year-old vet and equine intern, was afraid the foot was broken and she might be unable to do that evening's on-call duty.
As a result, she rang Mr Kenward. As they were both concerned she could be held up in hospital A&E, Mr Kenward suggested she use the in-house X-ray kit. He gave her the settings to use and she carried out the test, which showed no break so she continued to work as normal.
Another director, who acts as Radiation Protection Supervisor, later noticed a human image on the digital processor. This led him to notify other practice board members of his intention to interview staff about the suspected breach of site radiation safety policy. He was immediately told by Mr Kenward not to discipline the vet intern as he had suggested that she use the X-ray.
As a result the Health and Safety Executive was contacted and an investigation confirmed a breach of radiation regulations.
Although the vet intern, from Maidstone, was the only person present during the X-ray exposure, she did not wear a personal dosemeter during the procedure.
However, HSE told the court that Mr Kenward was fully aware that the rules of the practice clearly stated nobody should be placed within the beam of the X-ray machine.
Mr Kenward was ordered to pay £1,296 in costs after admitting a breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Rob Hassell said: "Any vet practice using ionising radiation for medical exposures must ensure that the X-ray equipment is properly maintained and that the requirements of the Ionising Radiations Regulations are complied with. The view of HSE and the Department of Health is that it is highly unlikely that all these conditions can be met by a veterinary practice.
"It follows therefore that X-rays must not be taken of human beings at practices. We are aware that the X-raying of people may not be unique to this particular practice so I hope others will take note that HSE is prepared to prosecute if such breaches come to light."
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There are several issues here. Firstly despite what any of you may think or do in your work place, you are not allowed to x-ray people. Even if you are vets who are 'qualified regarding the use of x-rays'. To do this you need to be a radiographer who has completed an appropriate degree in radiography. Secondly, vet's practices are not licenced to administer ionising radiation to people. Thirdly anyone x-raying people has to comply with the IR(MER) regulations and the IRR regulations, whereas the former do not apply to veterinary practice. This is where the article is incorrect - it should mention that veterinary use of ionising radiation does not come under the IR(ME)R regs.
Lastly in order to x-ray a person a request has to be made by an appropriately qualified referrer, ie a doctor or other suitably qualified medical professional. This does not include vets.
It is frankly disappointing to see the number of responses here from vets who don't seem to think there is anything wrong with x-raying a person. It is even more worrying that they all have access to x-ray machines. If you cannot see any difference between x-raying a person and x-raying, say, a dog, then please do the following. Look in your favourite journal and see how many articles there are regarding radiation protection of the patient in veterinary medicine. How many vets are interested in reducing the radiation dose to their patients? Now do the same for human radiography. You will see that the difference in culture is immense.