The Royal College of Nursing Wales welcomes the Endoscopy in Wales Report published today by the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee which draws attention to the fact that bowel screening improves the outcome for patients with Bowel Cancer. The report recommends that there is an increase in the numbers, and development of nurse endoscopists.
Nicola Davis-Job, RCN Wales Interim Associate Director (Professional Practice), said: “We welcome the recommendation to increase the number of nurses working in endoscopy. However, the report highlighted a disparity of pay grade for nurse endoscopistsin Wales compared to England. Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) with skills and expertise in the area of endoscopy are paramount to improving the service so it is imperative that they receive equal pay.”
The committee also recommends building on the “Be Clear on Cancer” public awareness campaign to help improve uptake by raising understanding of the changes to the bowel screening programme. Nurses are key to the delivery of this ambitious recommendation and that means the development of practice nurses, clinical nurse specialists and nurse endoscopists must be a central component to the government's workforce planning arrangements.
Furthermore, RCN Wales expects Health Education Improvement Wales, in light of these recommendations to work with the Welsh Health Boards, NHS trust and higher education organisations as matter of urgency to development and implement a strategic plan to ensure that sufficient opportunities are available for nurses working in endoscopy including the required funding.”
