North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust is once again blazing a trail in patient care by rolling out advanced endoscopy training to nurses.
The endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography (ERCP) procedure uses an endoscopic (camera test) device inserted via the mouth, to explore the upper gastrointestinal area of the body to treat conditions in the liver, gall bladder, bile ducts and pancreas.
Hands-on
Previously the advanced hands-on endoscopy training sessions were exclusive to doctors, but teaching staff at the University Hospital of North Tees have been able to offer this training to nurses from around the region for the first time this week (beginning on Tuesday 16 May 2023).
Karen Sheard, Trust deputy chief nurse, said: “We already have several ERCP trained nurses in the Trust but this is the first time we have been able to offer this training to other Trusts.
“Constantly improving the skills of nurses is vital if we are to meet the needs of our patients and I’m so pleased that our Trust is leading in this field”.
“I hope that the trainees enjoy the course and get to use their skills quickly.”
The three-day training course saw nurses from South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust join North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust to learn the endoscopic skills in this specific area and share their own experience in this area with other colleagues.
Really good reputation
Karen Prokas, who attended the training from Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust said: “This ERCP course has a really good reputation and I wanted to increase my skill set. It’s also a good chance to network and meet colleagues I wouldn’t normally get to speak with.”
The Basic Skills ERCP course, led by consultant gastroenterologist Dr Vikram Mitra, is one of only two endoscopy Joint Advisory Group approved ERCP hands-on training courses for doctors in the country. This time an ERCP nursing training programme was delivered alongside the doctor’s course for the first time to promote learning in a multi-disciplinary environment.
Vikram thanked the entire training faculty and the endoscopy staff in the trust who made the training possible. He said: “I’m so grateful to the patients who have volunteered to not only share their experiences but have also agreed to be an active part of the course by providing the opportunity to the doctors and nurses to test their skills on a real person.
“Of course, it’s all carried out under strict supervision and is very safe, but I cannot thank them enough.
“We have been joined by colleagues from around the country who have shared their valuable experience. We can’t run these sessions without that kind of support.”
Feather in the cap
Professor Matt Rutter, trust gastroenterologist and chair of the national Joint Advisory Group for GI Endoscopy commented: “Seeing this advanced ERCP training rolled out for nurses is a huge step forward for endoscopy in our region.
“Congratulations to Vikram and his team who are known throughout the country for their first-class ERCP teaching skills. It’s another feather in the cap for endoscopy in our Trust.”
Trust consultant Dr Christopher Wells, clinical lead for the Northern Endoscopy Training Academy (NETA) commented “It’s great to see the nursing course being run successfully alongside the doctor’s course. This will promote team working and allow better understanding of the different perspectives that need to be carefully considered whilst delivering this highly complex endoscopic procedure.”
