Gastro & Endoscopy
Gastroenterology departments across the UK are under significant pressure due to an increased demand due to an aging population and rising rates of obesity and other chronic diseases. COVID-19 has also had a major impact, leading to a backlog of patients who need care, and making it also made it more difficult to recruit and retain staff. Waiting times for a gastroenterologu appointment are well above target, which can be a significant source of anxiety and stress for patients.
Clinical Leadership Team
Ass. Professor Dr Matthew Banks
Clinical Lead for EndoscopyDr Matthew Banks is a Consultant Gastroenterologist at University College London Hospital NHS Trust (UCLH) and holds an academic appointment as an honorary senior lecturer at The National Medical Laser Centre, University College London (UCL). Previously, he served as the Director of Endoscopy at UCLH and also held the same position at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. Additionally, Dr Banks was the Secretary of the British Society of Gastroenterology (Endoscopy) from 2017 to 2020. He was a member of the BSG Clinical Services and Standards Committee and the BSG Research Committee, contributing significantly to the development of the current BSG Standards.
Dr Patrick Connor
Deputy Clinical Lead for EndoscopyDr Patrick Connor is a Consultant Gastroenterologist. An Army Colonel, he retired from military service in 2000 and has been focussed soley on Endoscopy since then. He has held a number of senior positions including Clinical Endoscopy Lead at Frimley Park Hospital, Senior Defence Consultant Advisor in Medicine, Deputy Medical Director of the Defence Medical Services, Deployed Medical Director on Operational Deployment and Head of the Academic Medical Engagement team. He also continues to be heavily involved in Research.
Lisa Polden
Deputy Director of NursingLisa has a vast amount of endoscopy experience, specialising in 2008, and she has worked as an Endoscopy Lead Nurse since 2017 delivering insourcing support to many NHS Trusts. Lisa has recently left the NHS after 23 years of nursing experience including her position as a senior sister at Salisbury District Hospital where she managed a four roomed Endoscopy Unit. Lisa has contributed and implemented several specialist services within her unit, whilst continuing to play a pivotal role in ensuring the unit maintains its JAG accreditation over the last 10 years.
Most recently Lisa has accepted the position of Nurse Assessor with the JAG (Joint Advisory Group) further promoting and ensuring patient safety in Endoscopy.
What we do
At 18 Weeks Support we are committed to providing high quality services that exceed the expectations of our clients and the patients we treat. Our insourcing teams are led by highly specialist Clinical Leads who drive innovation and share best practice both nationally and internationally, including national JAG standards.
18WS specialises in Endoscopy and is the largest provider of insourcing Endoscopy in the UK, providing over 4% of the total NHS Endoscopies in the UK, grown from 2% in 2021.
Our approach focuses on patient and client satisfaction while working collaboratively with trusts to maximise throughput, optimise theatre lists and ensure high quality patient care. We consistently review all our contracts against local and national best practice to ensure learning and sharing of change and innovation.
Changes to JAG best practice are gathered by our head of Endoscopy and Gastroenterology, who has been an advisor to create and implement JAG standards nationally.
Our Services
Our Results
For almost a decade, the NHS has partnered with 18 Week Support to reduce waiting times. We’re incredibly proud of the work we do and would love to share some of our case studies with you.
99.7%
Patient Satisfaction Rate
4%
of NHS endoscopy procedures completed in the UK last year
Up to 24
JAG points per list
Endoscopy Case Study in the Midlands
Discover how we helped the Trust reduce by 87% the patients waiting longer than 6+ weeks whilst increasing endoscopy activity by 554% in partnership with the Trust.
read full case studyTestimonials
Governance
We have a robust clinical governance framework to continually support, improve and drive forward the highest standards of care for our patients and we work with our customers and partners to monitor experiences and outcomes. On those occasions when incidents, complaints or concerns arise around patient care we act swiftly, encouraging a culture of continuous learning.
The Elective Recovery Fund and Payment-by-Results: Transformations in NHS Funding 2023-24
Here, we discuss the return to Payment by Results (PbR) with a focus on the Elective Recovery Fund (ERF), which signifies significant changes in UK healthcare funding for 2023-24.
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