Overview
The National Endoscopy Training Programme (NETP) offers training to improve the quality of endoscopy care for patients in Scotland, helping to provide the clinical capacity needed to address endoscopy and cancer waiting times.
The NETP aims to increase endoscopy capacity through the development of a highly skilled and sustainable endoscopy workforce, minimising repeat procedures and improving patient experience.
What do we do?
Immersion Training
What is Immersion Training?
This training provides a period of intensive Endoscopy practice for either Upper GI or Colonoscopy, and is supported by a national faculty trainer.
The training allows trainee Endoscopists to have one-to-one training in the Endoscopy Unit at the Golden Jubilee University National Hospital.
For Colonoscopy, 5 days of training with 8 procedures per day is planned and the trainee will usually then complete a second week after spending time back at their base, consolidating the skills learned.
For Upper Gastrointestinal (GI), the trainee is usually offered up to 4 days in 1 week, with one-to-one training within up to 16 procedures per day. If needed, a mixed week of both Upper GI and Colonoscopy can be accommodated to ensure the trainee gains the experience they require to support acceleration in becoming a JAG (Joint Advisory Group for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy) accredited Endoscopist.
Who do I contact?
To be considered for this training, please speak to your training programme director (or line manager if you are no longer in a training programme) and request for them to forward your details for consideration to: nhsscotlandacademy@nhs.scot.
Basic Endoscopy Skills Courses
What are Basic Endoscopy Skills Courses?
These courses (for Colonoscopy and Upper GI) are designed to introduce the trainee to best practice and theory in Endoscopy, at the start of their Endoscopy learning journey.
The course is an essential requirement to becoming a JAG accredited endoscopist. Both Basic Colon Skills and Basic Upper GI skills courses are now available at The National Endoscopy Training Programme (NETP) centre at NHS Golden Jubilee, the West of Scotland Training Centre at Stobhill, East Lothian Community Hospital (ELCH) and the Surgical Skills Centre in Dundee.
All courses are advertised for booking on the JAGS Endoscopy Training System (JETS) website.
Who do I contact?
To register and book onto this course, please visit the JETS website. For informal enquiries please contact:
- Catherine.Boylan@gjnh.scot.nhs.uk
- Aidan.Cahill@ggc.scot.nhs.uk,
- cscbookings@dundee.ac.uk
- Karen.Church@nhs.scot for ELCH
Train the Colonoscopy Trainer Course
What is Train the Colonoscopy Trainer?
This 2-day course is a must for any independent Endoscopist involved in teaching and training in endoscopy and brings participants up to date with the latest teaching, training theory and practice.
It is essential that all applicants have completed a Colon Upskilling course within the last 5 years and are currently involved with training in endoscopy.
This first day is classroom based, with a mix of theory and group exercises, while day 2 provides an opportunity to practice the learning, receiving support and performance enhancing feedback from one of our national trainers.
What is happening?
This training is currently taking place at the new NETP Training Centre within NHS Golden Jubilee and at the West of Scotland Training Centre within Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow.
Who do I contact?
This course can be booked via https://www.jets.nhs.uk/.
For informal enquiries please contact:
Upskilling for Colonoscopy
What is Upskilling for Colonoscopy?
This course is aimed at experienced Colonoscopists to update and critique their current skills and practice, while also learning about new developments and techniques.
What is happening?
These JAG accredited courses are currently available at the NETP Training Centre within NHS Golden Jubilee, the West of Scotland Training Centre at Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow and at the East Lothian Community Hospital.
The 2023 and 2024 national endoscopy Key Performance Indicator data shows significant improvement in both ceacal intubation rates and adenoma detection rates in Boards where a significant percentage of Endoscopists have participated in this course. Some Boards have now mandated that all Colonoscopists complete upskilling at least once every 5 years.
Who do I contact?
All courses are available to book at https://www.jets.nhs.uk/.
For informal enquiries, please contact nhsscotlandacademy@nhs.scot.
Endoscopy Non-Technical Skills (ENTS)
What is Endoscopy Non-Technical Skills Training?
This Endoscopy non-Technical Skills Training programme has been approved by the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom for 5 category 1 (external) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits.
The training is suitable for all members of the endoscopy team, including certified Endoscopists, trainee Endoscopists, Endoscopy nurses, Healthcare Support workers and other allied health professionals (AHPs).
Places are allocated to ensure the whole multidisciplinary team (MDT) is represented.
The 1-day training focuses on situational awareness, leadership, communication and teamwork through scenario-based simulation and is delivered by the National Endoscopy Training Programme in collaboration with the Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (JAG).
What is happening?
There is a nominal fee of £50 per learner to participate in this training. Travel and accommodation are also the responsibility of the learners’ host Board.
Dates for 2025:
- Monday 13 January - St John’s Hospital, Livingston, West Lothian
- Tuesday 11 February – NHS Golden Jubilee, Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire
- Friday 7 March – Kirklands Hospital, Bothwell, Lanarkshire
- Wednesday 14 May – NHS Golden Jubilee, Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire
- Wednesday 17 September - Golden Jubilee, Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire
- Tuesday 11 November – NHS Golden Jubilee, Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire
All dates are bookable via the JETS website.
Who do I contact?
To register for any of these courses, contact nhsscotlandacademy@nhs.scot
For further information, contact Catherine.Boylan@gjnh.scot.nhs.uk
National Assistant Practitioner Programme
What is the National Assistant Practitioner Programme?
The National Assistant Practitioner Programme (Endoscopy) provides a standardised programme to support Healthcare Support Workers (HCSWs) in their career development from level 2 to level 4 through SVQ work based learning with a series of online study days, eLearning and face to face simulated practice.
What do programme block days cover?
- Day 1 - NHS Scotland Academy Skills and Simulation Centre: Introduction to the Assistant Practitioner Programme and SVQ.
- Day 2 - MS Teams: Risk Management, Overview of Scottish patient safety programme, the Global rating scale (JAG), Consent and Principles of safe sedation.
- Day 3 - NHS Scotland Academy Skills and Simulation Centre: Vital Signs and Airway Management.
- Day 4 - MS Teams: Common Pathology, Bowel Prep, Specimen Collection, Indications for Endoscopy and alternatives, Complications, Communication, Trauma Informed Practice, Post Op.
- Days 5 and 6- NHS Scotland Academy Skills and Simulation Centre: Scope Room Set Up, Trouble shooting, Position Change, Traceabillity, Specimen Labelling, Endoscopy Skills, Therapeutic Emergency Endoscopy including Haemostasis, Safe use of Diathermy, Endoscopic Non-technical Skills and simulated scenarios.
- Day 7 - MS Teams: Infection Control, Principles of Decontamination, PPE, 6C's, Professional Issues and Consolidation.
Applications for our next cohort will be open soon.
To learn more, click the link below to watch the video:
Assistant Practitioner Programme Video
Who do I contact?
For more information contact: nhsscotlandacademy@nhs.scot
National Assistant Practitioner (Endoscopy) Programme on Turas Learn.
Foundations of Endoscopy Practice
The Foundations of Endoscopy Practice Programme provides an introduction to Endoscopy practice for Registered nurses. This inter-professional programme is delivered alongside our National Assistant Practitioner Programme.
Learners will attend the following days with our Health Care Support Workers on the Assistant Practitioner Programme:
Programme dates:
- Day 1 - MS Teams: Risk Management, Overview of Scottish patient safety programme, the Global rating scale (JAG), Consent and Principles of safe sedation.
- Day 2 - MS Teams: Common Pathology, Bowel Prep, Specimen Collection, Indications for Endoscopy and alternatives, Complications, Communication, Trauma Informed Practice, Post Op Care and Discharge.
- Days 3 and 4 - NHS Scotland Academy Skills and Simulation Centre: Scope Room Set Up, Trouble shooting, Position Change, Traceabillity, Specimen Labelling, Endoscopy Skills, Therapeutic Emergency Endoscopy including Haemostasis, Safe use of Diathermy, Endoscopic Non-technical Skills and simulated scenarios.
- Day 5 - MS Teams: Infection Control, Principles of Decontamination, PPE, 6C's, Professional Issues and Consolidation.
Who do I contact?
For more information contact: nhsscotlandacademy@nhs.scot
Endoscopy Network Forum
This forum is a networking group for Senior Charge Nurses, Nurse Managers and others working in endoscopy to learn from and support each other.
- The Network Forum will take place every 6 weeks.
- If you have not received an invite and would like to join, or if there is something you would like to share with the group, contact nhsscotlandacademy@nhs.scot
Endoscopy Simulator Induction
What is the Endoscopy Simulator Induction
NES has funded 6 endoscopy simulators situated across training regions. These provide endoscopy trainees, students, trainee nurse endoscopists and established endoscopists the opportunity to accelerate their early acquisition of endoscopy skills to allow an early transition to full patient procedures.
Learners can practice insertion and withdrawal as well as tip control and other basic skills and pathology recognition in a simulation environment.
Training time should be scheduled to allow supervised sessions during the working day until technical competence is reached to maximise the experience within clinical endoscopy sessions.
A number of simulators have software for bronchoscopy Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) as well as GI endoscopy, please check this at your local site.
Each simulator had a QR code attached that will take you directly to the TURAS learn page when it is scanned.
How to book a simulator
Before booking time on a simulator, you must review the induction video on how to use the Symbionix GI Mentor and GI Mentor Express. Click here to access the video
You must also complete the short quiz on using the GI Mentor and contact the relevant location. All this information is available by clicking this link
Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Best Practice Update
What is the Upper GI Best Practice Update?
The Upper GI course takes place over 1 day and is for experienced Endoscopists, mixing theory updates with some hands-on practice and microteaching throughout the day.
The course was developed following the establishment of the National Endoscopy Training Programme's (NETP) Upper GI Endoscopy Guideline and Best Practice Consensus Statement, and updates Endoscopists in best practice for improving lesion recognition and eventually patient outcomes.
Upper GI Endoscopy Guideline and Best Practice Consensus Statement
What is happening?
The course is being delivered at the NETP Training Centre within NHS Golden Jubilee, the West of Scotland Training Centre at Stobhill Hospital and East Lothian Community Hospital.
Unfortunately we are not able to advertise these courses on JETS at the moment, however, anyone interested who requires more information, please contact nhsscotlandacademy@nhs.scot.
Can the next section please now be moved under ‘Additional Resources’ please?
On 11 March 2024, a team of UK experts delivered an informative session on lesion detection and recognition to over 100 Scottish Upper GI Endoscopists. The session received excellent feedback and has been made available to view on TURAS Learn.
View the lesion detection and recognition training session
Best practice updates
On 11 March, a team of UK experts delivered an informative session on lesion detection and recognition to over 100 Scottish Upper GI Endoscopists. The session received excellent feedback and has been made available to view on TURAS Learn.
View the lesion detection and recognition training session
Recommendations and Guidance
- Colorectal polypectomy
- Diagnostic colonoscopy training
- Upper GI guidelines and best practice
- Barrett's oesophagus toolkit
- Transnasal Endoscopy (TNE) Toolkit
- Video: Transnasal Endoscopy: A new approach to upper endoscopy
Additional resources
- Turas Learn: National Endoscopy Training Programme (NETP)
- Joint Advisory Group on GI Endoscopy website
- JAG accreditation Global rating scale (GRS) for UK services (PDF)
- British Gastroenterology website
- Scottish Society of Gastroenterology website
- Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Quality and Safety Foundation website
For more information contact nhsscotlandacademy@nhs.scot
Who are we?
Stephen Barclay
Core Faculty
Umesh Basavaraju
Core Faculty - Endoscopy Non Technical Skills
Karen Boylan
National Endoscopy Programme Lead
Catherine.Boylan@gjnh.scot.nhs.uk
Aidan Cahill
National Endoscopy Training Lead - Regional Lead for West of Scotland Centre
Aidan.Cahill@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Nick Church
Core Faculty
Shelly Cross
Core Faculty
Neil Cruikshank
Core Faculty
Simon Denley
Core Faculty
Jonathan Fletcher
Core Faculty
Andrew Fraser
Core Faculty
Graham Haddock
Chair of National Endoscopy Training Programme
Graham.Haddock@nhs.scot
Jodi Jervis
Core Faculty - Endoscopy Non Technical Skills
Diane Kennedy
Core Faculty
Tammi Kingstree
Core Faculty
Neil Lachlan
Core Faculty - Endoscopy Non Technical Skills
Norma McAvoy
Core Faculty
Craig Mackay
Core Faculty
Graham Mackay
Core Faculty
David Mansuori
Core Faculty
Audrey McCallum
Core Faculty
Jonathan McDonald
Core Faculty - Train the Colonoscopy Trainer
Aaron McGowan
Core Faculty
Douglas Morran
Core Faculty
Colin Noble
Core Faculty
Raymond Oliphant
Core Faculty - Regional Lead for Highland, Endoscopy Non Technical Skills
Maree Pasieka
Core Faculty
Leigh Paterson
National Endoscopy Training Programme Administrator
Leigh.Paterson@gjnh.scot.nhs.uk
Natalie Peel
Core Faculty
Brian Rafferty
Core Faculty - Endoscopy Non Technical Skills
Andrew Renwick
Core Faculty
Kevin Robertson
Core Faculty
Duncan Scimgeour
Core Faculty
John Paul Seenan
Core Faculty - Colonoscopy Upskilling
Kawan Shalli
Core Faculty
Amanullah Shams
Core Faculty
Sandeep Siddhi
Core Faculty
Adrian Stanley
Core Faculty
Michelle Thornton
National Endoscopy Training Lead - Regional Lead for NHS Golden Jubilee - Lead for Non Technical Skills
Michelle.Thornton@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
Mike Walker
Core Faculty
Fiona Wilson
Core Faculty - Endoscopy Non Technical Skills
Jack Winter
Core Faculty
Elaine Yeap
Core Faculty