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). He has an academic appointment as an honorary senior lecturer at The National Medical Laser Centre, University College London (UCL). Previously he was Director of Endoscopy at UCLH and has also held the same position at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
Dr Patrick Connor
Deputy Clinical Lead for Endoscopy
Lisa Phillips
Endoscopy Lead Nurse/SSPShe is a senior sister at Salisbury District Hospital where she manages the Endoscopy Unit and the Radiology Interventional Service and has been instrumental in setting up several specialist services within her unit, namely the bowel scope and BCSP services, she has over eight years’ experience with GRS submissions.
Pravin Madhia
Decontamination LeadPravin has 11 years’ experience of working within the Decontamination of reusable medical device field as a highly experienced Decontamination Lead .
Pravin’s experience covers auditing and advising on decontamination best practice with training in BSG endoscopy leadership and management, Decontamination course for Managers, Management of flexible endoscopes, Management in Health and social care management, BSI Internal Auditor and risk management and Joint Advisory Group on GI Endoscopy (JETS workforce course). MSE in Health and Social care Management .
What we do
Trust
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 Endoscopy 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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