Introduction The demand for Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy continues to rise. Demand is expected to supersede current provision of endoscopy capacity through existing models leading to a huge capacity-demand gap.

Nurse Endoscopists (NE) can potentially meet this demand as the medical workforce struggles to. However there is a significant gap in the training provision for NE that means the potential to utilise this significant pool from the available workforce is not being maximised. The basic skills JAG training courses address the practical skills training but not the specific skills that relate to nurses taking on advanced roles. Acquisition of such skills ensures that these individuals flourish in the role.

Method 2 experienced consultant nurse endoscopists with skills, training and experience in post-graduate education and endoscopy training, set up a National Nurse Endoscopist Course in November 2013. Affiliated with Kings College London as academic partners who provide an optional 30 credits at level 6 or 7 to course participants. Clear, well defined learning aims and objectives have been developed to ensure competency and quality assurance.

The course consists of 6 taught days, split into 3, 2 day sessions over 6 months designed to run concurrently with the trainee’s in house/Trust training lists. The course addresses all the issues specific to the transition in role from a nurse to an advanced practitioner within endoscopy.

The course is interactive and dynamic with continuous support via a purpose made networking page. Students are assessed via a formal presentation and OSCE. A portfolio of practice and an essay forms the optional academic assessment.

Results The 1st intake in November 2013 consisted of 15 trainee NE from across the UK. The 2^ndcohort in June 2014 consisted of 16 trainees, this included 2 NE from Sweden. The 3rd intake in January 2015 has 14 students taking part. The 45 course participants so far range from trainee NE already in post to nurses applying to become trainee endoscopists as part of the Bowel Scope screening programme.

The first 31 students successfully completed the course and would ‘recommend the course to a colleague’. They all rated the course very good (4) or excellent (5) on an evaluation scoring of 0 to 5. The latest 14 students will complete in June 2015.

Conclusion A course such as this is desperately required nationwide to help meet the increasing demands. The course template has been adopted by Health Education England, supported by JAG.

This course equips the trainees with a holistic approach to becoming an endoscopist. It raises the profile of the nurse endoscopist role and helps address the current national workforce shortfall for endoscopists.

Disclosure of interest None Declared.

References

1. Maslekar S, et al. Patient satisfaction with GI endoscopy. Colorectal Dis. 2010;12

2. Richardson G, et al. MINuET. BMJ2009;338