Nurse Endoscopy Subgroup of the NZ Gastroenterology Nurses College

In November 2022 an application was made to the NZ Gastroenterology Nurses College requesting support to establish a Nurse Endoscopist group with the stated goal of bringing together current and future nurse endoscopists to share knowledge and provide support to each other.

This application was accepted by the committee, with confirmation at the 2022 NZGNC AGM at the last NZ Gastroenterology Conference.

Our stated aims include:

• Articulate and promote the nurse endoscopy role to the broader health and patient community.

• Providing professional support to current nurse endoscopists

• Support and facilitate ongoing education and upskilling opportunities for nurse endoscopists

• Becoming a resource and offer mentorship to nurses who want to become nurse endoscopists

• Being utilised by Te Whatu Ora endoscopy unit management to assist with recruitment and mentoring of nurse endoscopists, either locally or overseas trained

• Providing expert consultation to Manatú Hauora, NEQIP, NBSP, EGGNZ and HWNZ around endoscopy workforce issues

The application letter outlined that the first action for the subgroup will be to address the stalled nurse endoscopy training program, including finding the blockages to training more nurse endoscopists and developing solutions with the assistance of NZGNC, NZSG and Ministry of Health.

The immediate next steps for the group are to develop terms of reference for the activities of the group, enrol members and form a committee.

Any nurses who are interested joining this group can make contact through the secretaryofnzgnc@ gmail.com email. Membership will be open to nurses working in or have an interest in the nurse endoscopy role as part of their future career.

Karen Kempin NE/NP Te Whatu Ora Hutt Valley