Sheffield endoscopy unit receives JAG accreditation

The unit, which is based at both the Royal Hallamshire and Northern General hospital, has been awarded JAG accreditation.

JAG is a UK wide quality assurance scheme for gastrointestinal endoscopy services.

The Trust provides an expanding and complex regional endoscopy service over multiple locations.

Over the past five years, there has been significant investment in providing co-ordinated access to care, including out of hours and emergency endoscopy services.

The national endoscopy training centre and research undertaken lead the way in modern endoscopic techniques and patient care.

Janice Dalgarno, endoscopy matron, said: “There is a great deal of hard work that goes into preparing for the JAG visit from the whole team, including doctors, nurses, operational and service managers, decontamination and administration and clerical staff.

“Accreditation enables our endoscopy service to assess our current performance in quality and safety assurance standards and it supports in planning and developing our service.”

Mo Thoufeeq, clinical lead for endoscopy, said: “JAG accreditation is the highest award for accreditation given to endoscopy units in the UK. It reassures patients and staff that the quality of care offered is of the highest standards.”

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals is one of the UK’s largest NHS Foundation Trusts and one of the busiest teaching hospitals, with over 17,000 staff caring for two million patients each year at all five of its hospitals and in the local community.

Thanks to the hard work and commitment of its staff and volunteers, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of only 18 Trusts out of 174 to have been given an overall rating of ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission with many services rated ‘Outstanding.’