DEXA AND DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING CQC REGISTRATION
CQC Registration Support for DEXA Scan and Diagnostic Imaging Services
Opening a DEXA scan service, or an X-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI service, in England involves more than completing a CQC application form. Your regulated activities, legal entity, Statement of Purpose, supporting documents, premises, equipment, radiation protection arrangements and leadership must all be accurate and consistent with the imaging service you intend to provide, whether that is a fixed private clinic or a mobile unit.
I provide specialist CQC registration support for new diagnostic imaging providers, drawing on more than 12 years of CQC inspection experience.
12 years as a CQC inspector
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REQUIREMENTS
What Does CQC Require From a New DEXA or Diagnostic Imaging Provider?
Imaging Arrangements CQC Is Likely to Look At
Where your service uses ionising radiation (for example X-ray, DEXA or CT), CQC is the enforcing authority for the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 (IR(ME)R) in England. You should be ready to show:
✓ IR(ME)R employer's written procedures (Schedule 2), including patient identification, pregnancy enquiries, and making, amending and cancelling referrals
✓ Clearly defined referrer, practitioner and operator roles, with entitlement and scope of practice for each person
✓ Arrangements for justifying and authorising each exposure, including referral criteria
✓ Written protocols, diagnostic reference levels and patient dose arrangements
✓ An appointed Medical Physics Expert, where IR(ME)R requires one
✓ Equipment quality assurance programme, including critical examination and acceptance testing records
✓ Evidence of HSE registration under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17) for work with X-ray equipment
✓ Radiation risk assessment, Local Rules and named Radiation Protection Supervisor(s), with advice from a Radiation Protection Adviser
✓ Arrangements for reporting significant accidental or unintended exposures
Most imaging services that examine or assess people to diagnose or screen for conditions fall within the regulated activity Diagnostic and screening procedures, which includes diagnostic imaging using X-ray, ultrasound and MRI. For DEXA, the regulated activity is diagnostic and screening procedures. Some services may also need other regulated activities, depending on what is provided.
CQC assesses whether the proposed provider, Registered Manager, premises and service are ready to deliver regulated care safely and in accordance with the fundamental standards.
The documents and information required will depend on your legal entity, regulated activities, location (or mobile base), management structure and the imaging modalities you intend to offer. Applications must accurately describe how the service will operate in practice. Generic documents that do not reflect the proposed imaging service may result in questions, delays or rejection of an incomplete application.
Documents CQC May Request
Depending on your service, an assessor may also ask about: ✓ Floor plan or premises layout, or details of the mobile unit and where it will operate ✓ Safeguarding adults and children arrangements and training ✓ Consent policy, including information given to patients about benefits and risks ✓ Chaperone policy Referral pathways: for DEXA and other X-ray exposures, a referral from a registered healthcare professional entitled under your employer's procedures; for ultrasound, how any self-referral is screened, and how findings are communicated and followed up, including with the patient's GP ✓ MRI safety arrangements, including screening and controlled access, where MRI is provided ✓ Reporting arrangements, including any teleradiology or third-party reporting provider Fire, health and safety and electrical safety evidence Fit and proper persons policy for directors ✓ Medical emergencies and resuscitation arrangements ✓ Equipment servicing and maintenance records
I can help you identify which arrangements apply, review the evidence you already have and organise a clear imaging registration checklist. Medical physics, radiation protection advice, equipment testing and statutory registrations must be completed or provided by appropriately competent professionals.
How I Support Your Imaging Service Registration
01
Registration Scope
We discuss the legal entity, proposed regulated activities, patient groups, modalities, locations or mobile operating model, and management structure. This helps establish what must be included in the application.
04
Imaging Policies and Supporting Evidence
Depending on your package, I provide a supporting-document checklist, review existing evidence or prepare tailored policies relevant to your service. This may include safeguarding, consent, chaperones, referral and self-referral pathways, governance, incidents, complaints, recruitment and medical emergencies, alongside a review of how your IR(ME)R procedures fit with the rest of your governance.
My support is tailored to the proposed imaging service, rather than relying on a generic registration pack. I consider the consistency between your application, Statement of Purpose, policies, premises and proposed working arrangements.
02
Application Planning
I help you understand the provider, Registered Manager and Nominated Individual requirements that apply to your organisation. We identify the information and evidence required before drafting begins.
05
Fit-Person Interview Preparation
The proposed Registered Manager receives realistic interview preparation covering the regulations, governance, patient safety, radiation protection oversight, referrals and justification, safeguarding, consent, complaints, incidents and oversight of the service.
03
Application and Statement of Purpose
I provide structured drafting support so the application and Statement of Purpose accurately describe the imaging service, regulated activities, locations and leadership arrangements.
06
Registration site visit and Readiness Review
For comprehensive packages, I review how the documents, premises or mobile unit, equipment and proposed systems work together. Any gaps are recorded in a clear, prioritised action plan.
Diagnostic Imaging CQC Registration FAQs
Start Your DEXA or Diagnostic Imaging CQC Registration With Clear, Practical Support
Whether you are opening a DEXA scan service or your first imaging clinic, launching a mobile service, registering a new provider or adding another location, I can help you understand the application requirements and prepare your documents, leadership arrangements and premises for CQC assessment.
CQC Consultancy provides independent professional guidance based on the information supplied by the client and the regulatory requirements in place at the time of the work. The provider, Nominated Individual and Registered Manager remain responsible for ensuring that the application is complete, accurate and reflective of how the imaging service will operate.
Consultancy support does not assure registration and does not replace legal, financial, radiation-protection, medical physics, clinical, engineering or other specialist professional advice. Technical reports, statutory registrations, equipment certification and safety assessments must be completed by appropriately competent professionals.
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