The Royal College of Radiologists exists to advance the science and practice of clinical radiology.
Through its Faculty of Clinical Radiology Professional Support and Standards Board it undertakes to produce standards or documents to provide guidance to individuals involved in the delivery of radiological services with the aim of defining good practice, advancing practice, and improving services for the benefit of patients.
The standards documents cover a wide range of topics. All have undergone an extensive consultation process to ensure broad consensus, underpinned by published evidence, where applicable. Each is subject to review four years after publication or earlier, as appropriate. The standards are not regulations governing practice but attempt to define the aspects of radiological services and care which promote the provision of high-quality service to patients. Developing RCR standards: a guide provides concise advice and guidance about the preparation of draft documents and what needs to be considered by those involved.
Proposals for new publications are considered by the Clinical Radiology Professional Support and Standards Board. If you are a member or Fellow of the RCR and would like to submit a proposal, please complete the new document proposal form and return to the Professional Standards Team.
Standards for the Quality Standard for Imaging have been produced in conjunction with the College of Radiographers.
Standards documents
The following standards documents have been produced by the Standards Sub-Committee (up to February 2010) and by the Professional Support and Standards Board:
2018
BFCR(18)1 Standards for interpretation and reporting of imaging investigations, second edition
2017
BFCR(17)1 Standards for providing a 24-hour interventional radiology service, second edition
2016
BFCR(16)8 Standards for the provision of teleradiology within the United Kingdom, second edition
BFCR(16)5 Standards for the reporting of imaging investigations by non-radiologist medically qualified practitioners
BFCR(16)4 Standards for the communication of radiological reports and fail-safe alert notification
2015
BFCR(15)14 Standards for providing a seven day acute care diagnostic radiology service
BFCR(15)5 Standards of practice for trauma radiology in severely injured patients, second edition
BFCR(15)1Standards for intravascular contrast agent administration to adult patients, second edition - this has been archived
2014
BFCR(14)17 Standards for the provision of an ultrasound service
BFCR(14)16 Standards of practice of computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) in adult patients
BFCR(14)15 Cancer multidisciplinary team meetings – standards for clinical radiologists, Second edition
BFCR(14)11 Standards for Learning from Discrepancies meetings
2013
BFCR(13)8 Standards for radiofrequency ablation (RFA), Second edition
2012
BFCR(12)19 Standards for patient confidentiality and PACS and RIS
BFCR(12)8 Standards for patient consent particular to radiology, Second edition
2011
BFCR(11)3 Standards of practice and guidance for trauma radiology in severely injured patients - this has been archived
BFCR(11)2 Standards and recommendations for the reporting and interpretation of imaging investigations by non-radiologist medically qualified practitioners and teleradiologists - this document has been withdrawn and replaced with the 2018 edition
2010
BFCR(10)17 Standards for the NPSA and RCR safety checklist for radiological interventions
BFCR(10)7 Standards for the provision of teleradiology within the United Kingdom - this document has been withdrawn and replaced with the 2016 edition
BFCR(10)6 Standards for the recording of second opinions or reviews in radiology departments - this has been archived
BFCR(10)5 Standards for a results acknowledgement system
BFCR(10)4 Standards for intravascular contrast agent administration to adult patients, Second edition - this has been archived
2009
BFCR(09)3 Standards for providing a 24-hour diagnostic radiology service - this has been archived
2008
BFCR(08)13 Standards for providing a 24-hour interventional radiology service - this document has been withdrawn and replaced by the 2017 guidance
2007
BFCR(07)9 Standards for Self-assessment of Performance - this document has been withdrawn and replaced by Standards for Learning from Discrepancies Meetings
2006
BFCR(06)1 Standards for the Reporting and Interpretation of Imaging investigations - this has been archived