Safety
Are X-rays safe?
X-rays are produced by ionising radiation. Whilst ionising radiation is not without risk, the levels used for your diagnostic x-ray are within safe limits. A specialist, usually your doctor or other qualified Healthcare Professional has deemed that any risk associated with a low dose x-ray, are outweighed by the benefits.
The amount of x-rays used in your procedure pose very low risk of harm.
You will not have any radiation left in your body after the examination.
What are the benefits of an X-ray?
An x-ray is a quick and painless way to take images of your body, to allow your Healthcare Professional to make a diagnosis and make sure that you get the treatment that you need.
Is it safe to have an x-ray in my own home?
Our equipment uses the latest technology to reduce the amount of x-rays produced to a minimal level, whilst maintaining a high level of diagnostic quality image.
With our medical physicist partners, extensive testing has been carried out to prove that our x-ray equipment is safe to use in the house.
Our staff are trained to make sure that they can take the best possible images, with the lowest possible amount of radiation.
Our equipment is checked on a regular basis, to ensure that it continues to be safe to use in your home.
Can other people be in the house during the X-ray?
Yes, other people can be in the house, but the person carrying out the examination must be aware that they are in the house and where abouts in the house they will be.
Your radiographer will then assess where is the safest place for the x-ray to be carried out, whilst ensuring the safety of everyone in the house. This also includes your pets.
When attending your house, our staff will set up a “controlled area”. This is a small area, which only you will be in during the actual X-ray. Your Radiographer will assess the area and inform anyone else in the house where they can and can’t be during the X-ray exposure.
If you do have pets, it will be likely that the Radiographer will ask for them to be placed in another room during the examination for both their own and your safety.
What about if I am pregnant?
If you are pregnant, you should inform your Radiographer (the person carrying out your X-ray), at the start of your examination.
Due to the low dose nature of the equipment we use, the X-ray machine is not suitable for taking images of the abdomen or pelvis. For X-rays of other parts of your body, the dose to the abdomen/pelvis, is low enough, not to pose a threat to a developing baby. However, to provide extra assurance our staff will offer you lead protection for your abdomen, to provide added piece of mind.
Even if you are not sure you are pregnant, but you suspect there is a chance you may be, no matter how small, you should inform your Radiographer at the start of your examination