The JAG recognises that the training requirements and experience required for Paediatric Endoscopy are different to those for the practice of adult gastrointestinal endoscopy. Pending the availability of formal validated assessment methods, adult gastroenterologists undertaking endoscopies in paediatric patients should ensure that they have adequate training and experience and have trained in paediatric gastroenterology referral centres if intending to undertake paediatric endoscopy procedures post-CCT. UK paediatricians are currently working hard towards giving greater clarity of advice to trainees in this area, and progress will be reported via the JAG and the specialist societies and colleges.

Facilities
Training in Paediatric Endoscopy must take place in units recognised by the RCPCH Speciality Advisory Committee on Paediatric Gastroenterology.

The training unit should be equipped with modern video endoscopy equipment suitable for use in paediatric practice. This should include high quality televisual display and image recording facilities, with access to training videos and ‘JPEG/MPEG’ programmes on the Paediatric Gastroenterology Society web pages.

Endoscopic experience
Paediatric trainees should undertake at least 100 diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopies under supervision and at least 100 diagnostic ileo-colonoscopies pending the introduction of formal training assessment methods.

Trainees should have experience of removal of foreign bodies at upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and polypectomy at colonoscopy.

After achieving basic competence at these procedures it is expected that higher level training will provide experience in and competence to perform a wide variety of therapeutic procedures. The accent is on ongoing skill assessment, i.e qualitative rather than quantitative.

A written record of the number and variety of procedures carried out under supervision and subsequently independently should be kept for the trainee’s ‘procedure experience record’.

Courses in diagnostic and therapeutic paediatric endoscopy and colonoscopy
Trainees should attend courses in both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy and colonoscopy which are now available with pure paediatric orientation. Courses should be approved by the British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and be provided on a regional or national basis.