Peter A Cockett
BSc BVetMed DVR CertSAO MRCVS
RPA 2000 Certificate of Competence No 0000772
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A suitable radiation protection adviser (RPA) must be appointed with regard to observance of IRR99 in general and specifically all Schedule 5 matters. These include designation of controlled areas and the examination of design features and systems of work provided to restrict exposure to ionising radiation.
HSE require any RPA to have demonstrated core competence and they have appointed RPA 2000 as an assessing body to evaluate candidates.
The role of the RPA is to advise and guide the radiation employer through the relevant legislation but additionally, radiation protection and IRR99 involve much more than defining a controlled area alone. In diagnostic radiography dose limitation and the concepts of exposures As Low As Reasonably Practicable (the ALARP principle) encompass all facets of image production from the generation of X-rays to viewing the final image. The ALARP principle will also apply to other uses of ionizing radiation such as nuclear medicine imaging or treatment.
Mr Peter Cockett
RPA 2000 Certificate of Competence No. 00000772
Member of the Society for Radiological Protection
Chartered Radiation Protection Professional (CRadP)
Certificate No. 000137
I am principal of a 3 site, 4 vet small animal practice in Reading (see links) but spend the majority of my time acting as an RPA exclusively for veterinary practices.
I have acted as an RPA for many years, initially under the umbrella of the RCVS who approved holders of the Diploma of Veterinary Radiology to act in this role. My special interest in radiology and small animal orthopaedics continues although by necessity these disciplines now take more of a back seat role as the core RPA work predominates.
I obtained my RPA 2000 Certificate of Competence in 2004 following submission of a portfolio of evidence that had to meet a spectrum of precisely defined criteria. Certificates are valid for 5 years and mine was renewed in 2009 after scrutiny of further documentation detailing continued activity in the field and attendance at professional meetings.
I am an adviser to the RCVS practice standards committee on the first revision of the relevant section of the manual.
I offer an RPA service for small animal and equine practices.
Specific activities could include:
Small animal
Large animal
(FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CLICK ABOVE)
It is a requirement that the radiation employer appoints a suitable RPA in writing.
A copy of this document should be available for presentation to interested parties (eg RCVS, HSE).
The letter should be on practice headed paper and take the following format:
This is to confirm the appointment of Peter Cockett as RPA for
this practice. His duties are to advise on all matters relating to
IRR99 or other relevant or subsequent legislation.
Fisherman's Cottage
Fisherman's Lane
Aldermaston
Berkshire
RG7 4LJ
Tel: 0118 971 3077
Mob: 07801 257 883
Fax: 0118 975 1912
Abbey Veterinary Group
My professional team is committed to providing quality care and treatment to your pet who we consider to be a member of your family.
Please click the link and browse our site.
Britain's Health and Safety Commission (HSC) are responsible for the regulation of almost all the risks to health and safety arising from work activity in Britain.
The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999
Statutory Instrument 1999 No. 3232
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the United Kingdom.
RPA 2000 is a non profit making company set up by The Society for Radiological Protection; The Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine; the Institute of Radiation Protection and the Association of University Radiation Protection Officers (the Societies) solely for the purpose of certifying competence in radiation protection practice.
Konica Minolta Veterinary Imaging
Introducing Pegasus Veterinary Imaging Package. This All-in-One system simplifies digital radiography by combining CR acquisition, patient registration, image viewing and storage into one consistent, user-friendly interface.
A.Somerville Ltd
A.Somerville Ltd provides X-Ray equipment sales, distribution and services to Veterinary practitioners throughout the UK.
Not surprisingly, the commonest activity is diagnostic radiography with a conventional X-ray tube.
All aspects of veterinary radiography are evaluated at a site visit. This includes assessing safety, equipment, working practices and monitoring to comply with IRR99 and also to enable the practice to benefit maximally from the procedure.
Direct measurements can be made to check on X-ray machine performance (see Quality Assurance page).
The visit is followed by a report outlining any recommendations and I also produce the local rules relevant to the use of ionizing radiations at the practice. All reports can be sent by email as well as by conventional post.
A routine revisit will be due about every 3 years and the local rules updated. The RPA should be informed
of any major alterations in practice layout affecting the controlled area or of significant changes in working
practice. These might necessitate a further inspection. The RPA should also be notified of a change in
practice RPS.
It is important that RPA advice is sought prior to moving to new premises or undertaking a conversion.
I can assist with layout and construction details - this usually will not require a specific visit prior to the
final inspection. Once appointed as RPA for the practice I do not charge additionally for advice
relating to setting up a new controlled area.
Risk Assessment.
This is often forgotten but it is the radiation employer's responsibility to have carried this out. I can do this if required.
It may be helpful to measure scattered radiation levels to assist in
defining the extent of the controlled area and to confirm the effectiveness of established screening.
Celtic SMR Ltd offers the veterinary profession the most comprehensive range of radiographic equipment including the latest digital technology, third generation high frequency X-ray generators and the latest automatic processors from Germany.
Veterinary X-Rays offers a comprehensive catalogue of the best that is available in the X-ray world. All carefully selected or specifically manufactured for the veterinary market.
PLH Medical has over 31 years of experience in providing quality radiographic products to imaging professionals worldwide has made PLH Medical Limited a leading name in our industry.
IDEXX Laboratories is a worldwide leader in innovative products and services for veterinary applications.
Xograph is dedicated to delivering diagnostic imaging solutions to the veterinary market.
Jet X-Ray is a supplier of digital radiographic equipment to the small animal and equine markets.
Quality Assurance (QA) can be defined as any action required to provide adequate confidence that a product or service will satisfy given requirements for quality.
In our context this will include X-ray output performance and confirmation that the controlled area definition and working practices are satisfactory to minimise exposure to ionising radiation and to maintain levels below specified limits.
The radiation employer is responsible for quality assurance programming. This includes equipment monitoring and confirmation that protective measures and systems of work restrict radiation exposure to acceptable levels.
Risk assessments may require real time measurement of actual dosage achieved in a specific environment.
Designed and Created for RPAVET by Matthew Brown (info_fallowsprs.co.uk)
