From Secrecy to Transparency in Nuclear Medicine: which way to follow? Karina De Beule Spokesperson –sr. expert Communication

Communication with the public: a gadget, a necessity or an opportunity? Changes in: –Policy of the media: faster, less time to check, … –‘New’ media: rumors spread in no time, –Public expectations change: greater access to information-> increasing demand of transparency; he who does not inform is considered ‘not trustworthy’ -> necessity of finding good practice of transparency and proactive communication

International Working Groups on Transparency & Public Communication NEA Working Group on Public Communication (CNRA) -> Guidance by the end of 2010 EU Working Group on Transparency Activities (ENSREG) -> -> treats all aspects of the nuclear, except the medical use International Nuclear Event Scale -> aimed at communicating in the same way in all member countries about incidents/events in nuclear installations & transport

France Since July 2007: INES in use for nuclear medical sector –Severity Scales for nuclear incidents and accidents and radiation protection events in the context of radiotherapy procedures –-> to facilitate the media and public understanding of the significance of nuclear incidents and accidents

Belgium- Transparency and Class 1 FANC stimulates and demands transparency from the nuclear operators Class 1 (NPP, research reactors, Medical isotopes production, waste sites,…) Obligatory procedures: –Notify relevant events/incidents to FANC/ Bel V/… –INES 1:publication on web sites operator, FANC –INES 2,…: idem + press release by operator –From October 2010 on: communication/press release for certain events which, although without radiological impact, can cause rumors/media-attention Most operators organize regular, direct communication with local public on a voluntary basis

Belgium- transparency Class 1 June 24: FANC organized first round table for spokespersons Class 1 –Objective: a global, workable and coherent approach exchange of lessons learned, Define and /or optimize procedures where possible and efficient Quick exchange of information; checking of facts and rumors… Networking: exchange of contacts, …

Belgium – Transparency in Nuclear Medical sector Today: call for participation in a FANC reflection group for the nuclear medical sector –Class 2 Objective: outline a public communication and transparency approach adapted to the specific needs/limitations of the medical sector

Transparency in the (nuclear) medical sector Why? The one who spreads the information (pro)actively – even if it is bad news – finds him(her)self always in a more advantageous position than the one who has to react EX. recent event in Mainz, change of patients, contaminated water leak in Brussels Hospital

How? Names of participants must be submitted before 1 October 2010, to first meeting: before end of 2010

Thank you for your attention! Contact: FANC, Ravensteinstraat 36,1000 Brussel Karina De Beule: