Years of hard work have paid off for doctors and nurses at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital after gaining a prestigious status.
Staff within the QEH Endoscopy Unit along with colleagues at the Endoscopy Unit at North Cambridgeshire Hospital in Wisbech are celebrating after achieving the JAG (Joint Advisory Group) Accreditation Status.
Created in 1994, JAG sets standards for competence in endoscopic procedure along with ensuring high standards in endoscopic units, training and services.
This prestigious accreditation is awarded to Endoscopy units which are found, by a team of Inspectors, to provide a high quality service for patients.
Staff at the hospital’s endoscopy units complete around 9,000 procedures each year, including inpatient and outpatient procedures.
King’s Lynn Unit manager Helen Smith said: “It’s great to have the recognition for the hard work and dedication that the staff constantly give in order to ensure that we give the best experience to our patients” Everyone puts a great deal of pride and effort in what we do.
“The secret of the success has been down to the hard work of the whole team both those working within the endoscopy units themselves and the wider supporting team. Everyone has been so positive and supportive about moving this forward.
“Endoscopy is seeing an increase of activity nationally year-on-year due to an increase in demand. Many of the patients we see have been referred under the suspected cancer pathway and are very anxious, we are delighted that the feedback we received from the team, which included a patient representative, was so positive.”
Consultant Dr Shailesh Karanth said: “JAG accreditation of our unit is the result of a great team work.
“The team worked with enthusiasm, passion and a disciplined approach led directly to this project’s success. Everyone who worked in this project made a great contribution.
“I am very proud of our team effort and I wish to thank all members of our team.
“JAG accreditation provides public notification that our endoscopy unit meets standards of quality set forth by an accrediting organisation.”
North Cambridgeshire Hospital Unit manager Sister Elizabeth Kaynak has thanked the Friends of the Hospital for their support in helping the team gain this status.
She said: “There has been a lot of work and environmental changes to the department to prepare for the JAG accreditation.
“This would not have been possible without the Friends of the Hospital, who have refurbished the waiting rooms and consultation rooms in the Fazarally Suite three years ago.
“We are really proud to have gained this status and it means a great deal to the department.”
Prior to the visit by the inspectors, the team had to submit 19 pages of evidence along with the inspection team looking through the patient feedback given through the Friends and Family Test.
Medical Director Nick Lyons has praised the Endoscopy team for their hard work in gaining the JAG Status.
He said: “I would like to congratulate the team on achieving this prestigious status.
“This is not only good news for our staff but also for our patients. Many arrive at the Endoscopy Unit very anxious but they can now be assured that they are receiving a safe and high quality service.”
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Dr Shailesh Karanth is pictured with Unit Manager Helen Smith and the other members of the Endoscopy team at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Sister Elizabeth Kaynak, centre, is pictured with the team at North Cambridgeshire Hospital, Wisbech
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