Inclusive pregnancy status questionnaire Patient information leaflet (239kB pdf)
Introduction
The Princess Alexandra Hospital radiology department has implemented an inclusive pregnancy status questionnaire, following the new College of Radiologists guidelines.
As a result of its implementation, all patients, irrespective of gender, aged between 12 and 55 years of age, may be asked what gender they were at birth which will assist radiology staff in ruling out the possibility of pregnancy.
This guide will hopefully answer your questions about why all patients may be asked what gender they were at birth. Please contact the team if you require further information via the details at the end of this leaflet.
Why are we asking all patients what sex they were at birth?
Your doctor/ healthcare professional has requested an X-ray or other similar investigation
that requires an exposure to radiation.
As radiographers, it is our professional duty and legal responsibility to ensure that we
protect individuals from unnecessary exposures to radiation.
This is particularly relevant when considering any potential risk to the unborn foetus in
pregnancy where there is greater risk from the harmful effects of radiation.
Due to new Royal College of Radiologists guidelines, we must exclude the risk of pregnancy by asking patients what gender they were at birth before we expose them to
radiation.
If a patient was born of female sex or born with a physical variation in their sex characteristics (VSC), also known by the term diverse sex development (DSD) or intersex, and they have not had surgery, treatment or have any medical conditions that resulted in them being unable to become pregnant, we must proceed with the following questions:
- Is there any possibility that you may be pregnant?
- The date of your last menstrual period.
- Are you taking contraception?
This can be discussed more privately if the patient wishes.
Contacting the team
If you have any further questions, please contact the Radiology Team; Telephone: 01279 827179 between 09:00-16:00 Monday to Friday
Your feedback matters
- If you would like to give feedback on your care, please contact our patient experience team at [email protected] or 01279 827211.
- Please contact the communications team at [email protected] if you would like this leaflet in another language or format.