PTU-84 Accelerated accreditation for bowel cancer screening colonoscopist in cheshire and merseyside

Published Date: 07th November 2021

Publication Authors: Bassi A

Introduction
In 2020, as the COVID pandemic spread through the UK, Bowel Cancer screening invitations were paused. In Cheshire and Merseyside (C & M) there were as many as 100,000 patients waiting for their invitations. In addition, there were a large number of patients who had already been tested but waiting for colonoscopy after their positive FIT test. It is also expected that there will be an age extension to include FIT test for those aged over 50 years as the bowel scope programme is ceased. A workforce analysis suggested that there was a significant gap in the number of endoscopists needed to deliver colonoscopy across the three bowel cancer screening programmes in C & M. There was expected to be significant delays in the accreditation process for any new endoscopist due to the suspension of training courses and assessment days.

Methods
The C & M Endoscopy Network is made up of eight Trusts on 12 sites and it is led by two Clinical Leads, a Programme Manager and a Project Manager. This Team created a project proposal to deliver Accelerated Accreditation of BCSP Colonoscopists. Funding was obtained from NHSE. The local process was approved by JAG which is the accreditation authority for the bowel cancer screening programme. This accelerated accreditation process included the development and delivery of webinars by our Clinical Lead, local assessment to replace pre accreditation courses and assessors travelling around the network to support candidates. The Mersey School of Endoscopy set up four accreditation assessment days in rapid succession and a new assessment site was added due to the efforts of the local Bowel Cancer Screening Managers. External assessors travelled across the country to support this pilot and candidates were supported by their local clinicians. New assessors were also provided training.

Results
15 candidates were put through the accelerated accreditation process to fill the workforce gap in the three BCSP across Cheshire and Merseyside over a short period of four months compared to the usual prolonged process. The Bowel Cancer screening programmes combined Clinical establishment will increase from 18 to 33 – an increase of 83%. Clinicians will have honorary contracts at every Trust to allow cross trust working so that they are able to maintain the minimal numbers required for accreditation. In addition, this allowed accreditation for four additional assessors and of a new assessment site – both of which will help in future sustainability.

Conclusion
This accelerated accreditation can be used a model for other programmes across the country to help with the work force gap.

Lloyd, K; Kinsella, C; Haslam, N; Bassi, A. (2021). PTU-84 Accelerated accreditation for bowel cancer screening colonoscopist in cheshire and merseyside. Gut. 70 (4), A209.

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