HERCA re-launches the European campaign to promote the appropriate use of medical imaging

Helsinki, 11 September 2025

“Getting the Right Image for my Patient”

On 11 September 2025, during the autumn meeting of the Working Group on Medical Applications, the Heads of the European Radiological Protection Competent Authorities (HERCA) will re-launch the European communication campaign “Getting the Right Image for My Patient.” The campaign will be rolled out in 21 countries across Europe, aiming to raise awareness about the appropriate use of medical radiological examinations.

This initiative is directed at referring healthcare professionals—those who request radiological examinations for their patients in daily clinical practice. While medical imaging is a powerful tool for diagnosis and treatment, it also involves exposure to ionising radiation, which can pose health risks if not properly justified.

Although radiological examinations should always benefit the patient, multiple studies across Europe have shown that a significant number of these procedures are unnecessary. The EU-JUST-CT coordinated action recently revealed that up to 40% of CT scans performed in European countries may be inappropriate. Similarly, a 2016 European inspection week organized by HERCA highlighted the urgent need to raise awareness among professionals about the importance of justification in medical imaging.

Key questions

A set of seven key questions is at the core of the campaign and is designed to support referrers in making informed decisions when requesting radiological examinations. These questions aim to:

• Encourage the use of available decision-support tools,
• Promote effective communication with patients,
• Help identify the most appropriate imaging method—or alternative—based on clinical need.

The ultimate goal is to ensure that patients receive the right diagnosis through the right examination, enabling timely treatment while avoiding unnecessary procedures that offer no clinical benefit.

Campaign materials

The campaign materials, developed by HERCA, are available in a range of languages and are adapted to meet national needs. Each participating country coordinates its own campaign using the shared core materials, ensuring both consistency and local relevance. The common material, as well as links to national campaign pages, can be found on the HERCA website.

Originally launched in November 2019, the campaign’s impact was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of new insights from the EU-JUST-CT project and renewed momentum around imaging justification, HERCA has decided to re-launch the initiative with broader participation and renewed focus.

By promoting the appropriate use of medical imaging, HERCA aims to enhance radiation protection and contribute to the overall quality of healthcare across its member states.

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Contact & Further Information

For more information about the campaign, including access to the seven key questions and links to national initiatives, please visit the official HERCA website: www.herca.org.

You can also follow HERCA’s updates and campaign highlights on LinkedIn: HERCA LinkedIn Page.

Respective authorities in each participating country coordinated national campaigns. They are accessible via the HERCA website.

About HERCA

HERCA is a voluntary association in which the Heads of European Radiation protection Competent Authorities work together in order to identify common issues and propose practical solutions for these issues.

Its current fields of activity include, amongst others, medical and veterinary applications of ionizing radiation, radiological emergency preparedness and response, radon and naturally occurring radioactive materials. The program of work of HERCA is based on common interest in significant regulatory issues.

HERCA currently brings together 56 radiation protection authorities from 32 European countries. These authorities develop national legal frameworks for the safe use of ionizing radiation. They also conduct inspections to ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.