Scotland-wide first for Raigmore Hospital’s endoscopy unit as the Inverness team scoops UK recognition with Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (JAG) accreditation
An Inverness hospital department is the first of its kind in Scotland to be recognised with an award for excellence in the treatment and patient care it provides.
The endoscopy unit at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness achieved the Joint Advisory Group on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (JAG) Accreditation, a UK-wide recognised standard of excellence within endoscopy services.
The accreditation promotes quality of service improvements by highlighting areas of best practice and areas for change, bringing benefits to both patients and staff.
To achieve JAG accreditation the service must provide evidence that a number of specific standards have been met.
The standards cover all aspects of a high-quality clinical service and are organised into four groups:
Clinical Quality – the service delivers safe and effective diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management
Patient Experience – the service provides efficient and patient-centred care for all patients including the review of waiting times, facilities and the environment
Workforce – effective training and support is in place for staff including recruitment, retention and continued professional development
Training – looks at the support and development of trainee endoscopists, including appraisal and competencies
Service manager Amie Westwater said: “We are delighted to receive JAG accreditation.
“It is testament to the hard work and dedication put in by the entire team and I’m so pleased that has been recognised.”
Raymond Oliphant, consultant colorectal surgeon and clinical lead for the service, said: “We’ve been able to demonstrate clinical excellence and, in equal measure, a good experience for our patients.
“It has been hard work to achieve this but, as a team, we have all put in the effort to reach this level.
“Patients attending our unit are safe in the knowledge that we have achieved the highest standard in endoscopy care and we will continue to work and develop to maintain that.”
