1. Endoscopy in Ipswich
Keeping our heads above water
Neil Harris (General Manager)
Liz Smallcombe (Matron)
Jan, 2013
Our Passion, Your Care.

2. The numbers
3 endoscopy suites
6 gastro consultants, plus general surgeons
6 day working (including one all-day list on Saturday)
A max of 32 lists per week, including 2 on Saturday
Now running at 12 points per list, (AM and PM), so in theory max points/week =
384
There are reasons lists are not full, training, BCSP, availability etc, so target
320 points/week for a standard working week
Our Passion, Your Care.

3. The changes
• Full audit completed on the start and finish times of every session
• Implemented a full review of the nursing teams to ensure that Saturdays could be
covered
• Implementation of full bookings (on the day) – approximately 75% of patients follow
this route, including surveillance patients
• Transformational workshops talking to the whole team about how to improve patient
flow through the unit
• Very clearly focused booking team (about to expand)
• Some referrals are direct to test (Gastro and Colo)
• Implementation of GI bleed rota – is helping ‘protect’ elective activity
Our Passion, Your Care.

4. The results (1)
Waiting times for 2ww colonoscopy down from 26 days to 15
Achieving 6 week diagnostic targets
200 points per month (on average) better than 12 months ago
Procedures scoped in Dec 2011 = 577
Procedures scoped in Dec 2012 = 707
Our Passion, Your Care.

5. The results (2)
Average points per month increased from 1012 to 1261 over 14 month period
Room utilisation much improved – fewer unused slots
Our Passion, Your Care.

6. The future
Another Saturday list to be scheduled in over the coming months
Further review of skill-mix – need plans for nurse specialists
Have considered twilight lists, but need further details on whether these
are efficient
Consider adding a pre-admission appointment
Will eventually move to 7/7 working…
Our Passion, Your Care.