Example: United Kingdom (Education of Professionals in Mammography - Clinically Qualified Medical Physicist)

In the United Kingdom, a number of accreditation systems are in place for different professionals involved in the breast screening process. These include the accreditation of readers, pathologists and laboratories. The Royal College of Radiologists is responsible for professional standards and training in radiology, while standards for mammographers (radiographers) are specified by the Society of Radiographers and the College of Radiographers. In addition, medical physics and clinical engineering accreditation is overseen by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, a national accreditation body appointed by the government to assess organizations that provide certification, testing, inspection and calibration services. The Department of Health Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer Screening is responsible for considering issues relating to breast cancer screening and for making recommendations on policies for screening practice in England. The Quality Standard for Imaging (formally known as Imaging Services Accreditation Scheme) has been developed by the Royal College of Radiologists, the Society of Radiographers and the College of Radiographers to set out the criteria that define a quality imaging service. Accreditation by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service for imaging services is a patient focused assessment that is designed to give stakeholders, service users, patients and their carers confidence in their diagnosis and all aspects of their care. The Quality Standard for Imaging provides a framework⁷ for the NHS and private sectors to offer consistently high quality services delivered by competent staff working in safe environments. The United Kingdom Accreditation Service assesses imaging services through regular monitoring to ensure that the standard's requirements are maintained. Accreditation to standards is supported by NHS England, NHS Northern Ireland and NHS Wales and is recognized by the Care Quality Commission.