The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) can confirm that Siemens Healthcare Limited has now complied with an Improvement Notice served after the loss of a package of radiopharmaceuticals.
The notice was served after the loss of the package while in transit between Siemens’ Mount Vernon Hospital in London and London Bridge Hospital in September 2021. There was no harm to the public or the environment and the consignment was subsequently retrieved, and all materials accounted for.
Since the notice was issued, Siemens Healthcare Limited has provided ONR with a suitable radiation risk assessment and implementation schedule which meets the requirements of the regulations. This has demonstrated to ONR that they have complied fully with the requirements of the Improvement Notice.
Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive medicines commonly used for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer which are routinely transported to medical facilities across the country. Transport arrangements must meet strict regulatory requirements to protect workers and the public.
After the incident was reported to ONR, an investigation was carried out into Siemens Healthcare Limited’s handling of the loss of the package of radiopharmaceuticals.
The Improvement Notice was issued under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Section 2(1) and 3(1) and Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 Regulation 8 - Radiation Risk Assessment.
* Siemens Healthcare Limited are Trading as Siemens Healthineers PETNET (Mt Vernon).