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Open to practicing endoscopy nurses from around the country, the course is led by sisters Sarah Jack and Joanne Campbell alongside colleague consultant gastroenterologist Dr Manu Nayar and coordinated by Endoscopy Services Manager Vanessa Chirnside.

With endoscopy nurses increasingly involved during advanced endoscopic procedures, assisting the endoscopist whilst providing high quality patient care and education, this course has a specific focus on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).

Dr Nayar explains: “ERCPs and endoscopic ultrasound are complex endoscopic procedures requiring dedicated training and teaching both for the endoscopists and the nurse assistant.

“The technology has moved forward at a rapid rate and it is difficult to keep pace with the progress. For these procedures to be performed efficiently, safely and provide the best possible care to the patient, the endoscopist and the nurse assistant must work very closely together.

“Bearing this in mind; the aim of this course is to address the basic principles of both these complex endoscopic procedures. We highlight some of the recent developments and delegates will have plenty of opportunities to use a variety of accessories used for the procedures.”

Only national course run by nurses for nurses

Sarah has worked in the Freeman Hospital’s Endoscopy Department for 17 years, starting as a staff nurse and over the last 10 years she has progressed from band 6 to band 7 sister. “I have always had a keen interest in pancreato-biliary endoscopy training due to the complexity of the procedures we carry out,” she explains.

“This study day is a valuable opportunity for endoscopy nurses to have some downtime and get together to collectively broaden our understanding and knowledge through informal discussions, hands on training and networking. 

I am very proud that this is the only course in the country to be run by nurses, purely for nurses and that it continues to be very popular – in total we have had over 600 delegates attend since the course began in 2009 and feedback has always been very positive.

Senior sister Sarah Jack

The day’s programme covered a wide range of topics including:

• Anatomy and physiology of the pancreato-biliary system
• Indications for ERCP as well as complications and alternatives
• The future of pre-assessment and consent for pancreato-biliary and green endoscopy
• Challenges for staff training

Sharing expertise and building strong networking links

The day was opened by ÃÛÌÒAPP Hospitals’ Executive Director of Nursing Ian Joy who welcomed the delegates and expressed the importance of supporting our respective workforces through high calibre training days such as today.

He said that having permission to take time away from the normal clinical environment allows endoscopic professionals to build upon their skills and expertise whilst sharing best practice and building a strong community of networking with like-minded colleagues from around the country.

The conference was also delighted to welcome guest speaker Lindsey Scarisbrick, Nurse Consultant in Gastroenterology at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust and .

Lindsey talked about the importance of the presence of endoscopy nurses in the room and went on to describe the benefits of joining the BSG nursing committee and in particular how it gives the nursing community a voice towards supporting the future of gastrointestinal nursing through high quality training, education and research as well as input into guidelines within the BSG.

It also helps to promote the expanding role of endoscopic nursing. Joining the BSG gives nursing professionals the opportunity to get more involved.

The day closed with a quiz used as an informative process of gauging learning from the whole day, and to show our appreciation to the delegates for attending the course.

We would like to say thank you to all the UK endoscopy industry who generously contributed towards this course.