Increase in radiation safety incidents reported

There was an increase in radiation safety incidents reported in 2025, according to the latest annual report from the national radiation protection committee (NRPC).

The report found this increase was “indicative of a strong safety culture in radiology and radiotherapy”.

In total, there were 1,664 radiation safety incidents involving radiology procedures reported in 2025. This compared with 1,369 in 2024. Some 40 were deemed ‘harmful’, 769 were classified as ‘non-harmful’, and 855 were categorised as ‘near-miss events’.

Radiotherapy services reported 316 incidents, compared with 288 in 2024. One was considered ‘minor but harmful’ and required first aid. Some 265 reports were categorised as ‘non-harmful’ and 50 were considered ‘near-miss events’.

Incidents were reported from hospitals, community-based diagnostic imaging services, orthodontic and dental services, and the BreastCheck Screening Service.

The NRPC considers a strengthened reporting culture to be the main factor contributing to the increase in reported incidents, particularly the increase in near-miss events.

“Near-miss reporting is widely recognised as an important indicator of a positive safety culture, as it demonstrates that staff are identifying and reporting potential issues before harm occurs,” a HSE spokesperson told the Medical Independent.

However, they said the NRPC would not attribute the increase solely to this factor. Fluctuations in activity levels, changes to service delivery, workforce pressures, increased awareness of reporting requirements, and improvements in incident detection and reporting systems, may also contribute to year-on-year variations in incident numbers. “This would include increased public awareness about the importance of reporting harm or adverse events to their healthcare practitioner.”

According to the NRPC report, “great progress” was made in 2025 to promote safe practice and regulatory compliance. However, it noted that working with ionising radiation “will always carry a risk” to staff and patients.

In 2025, some 1,524 radiology incidents involved adult patients, five involved newborn patients, and 46 related to members of the public. Some 89 staff members sustained an inadvertent occupational radiation exposure.

“Importantly, the vast majority of staff exposure incidents reported involved very low radiation doses and did not result in harm to the staff members concerned,” said the HSE spokesperson. These reports are reviewed as they provide important opportunities for organisational learning and for strengthening radiation protection practices. See news feature, p10.