title: Radiation Safety Culture in the UK Medical Sector: A Top to Bottom Strategy.
abstract: UK professional bodies have established a number of sectorial working parties to provide guidance on the improvement of radiation safety (RS) culture in the workplace. The medical sector provides unique challenges in this regard, and the remit of the medical group was to review the current state of RS culture and to develop a framework for improvement. The review of current RS culture was based on measurable indicators, including data from regulatory inspections, personal monitoring data and incident data. An online survey to capture the RS-related views and experience of hospital staff at all levels was carried out, and the responses provided a wealth of information on RS awareness and implementation across the country. The framework for improving RS culture includes both 'top-down' initiatives to engage management and regulators, and 'bottom-up' initiatives relating to engagement and training of different staff groups. A 'Ten-point Assessment' on what constitutes a good approach to medical RS culture has been proposed, which provides a tool for management to assess RS culture in the workplace and has potential use in regulatory inspections in the UK.
authors.affiliation: Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Freeman Hospital, Freeman Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN, UK.
authors.forename: Claire-Louise
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chapple
authors.affiliation: Central Manchester University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, St Mary's Hospital, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK.
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.affiliation: Society & College of Radiographers, 207 Providence Square, London, SE1 2EW, UK.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.affiliation: Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Forster Green Hospital, 110 Saintfield Rd, Belfast, BT8 6HD, UK.
authors.forename: Phil
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Orr
authors.affiliation: Aurora Health Physics Services Ltd, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, The Terrace, Library Ave, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, OX11 OSG, UK.
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reay
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Mindelsohn Way, Edgebaston, Birmingham, B5 2GW, UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.affiliation: Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, QMC Campus, Derby Rd, Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK.
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.affiliation: King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, 124-126 Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, UK.
authors.forename: Navneet
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sandhu
authors.affiliation: Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Fulham Rd, London, SW3 6JJ, UK.
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thurston
mesh_terms: D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans; D015279:Organizational Culture; D017751:Safety Management; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D017132:Workplace