We asked JAG Chair, Matt Rutter, to reflect on his involvement with JAG over the years and what JAG means to him.
In the 1990s, the growth and multidisciplinary nature of endoscopy prompted the need for a unified advisory body to standardise and ensure quality in endoscopy training across all specialties. Thus, 30 years ago, JAG was established in 1994 under the auspices of the Academy of Royal Medical Colleges. JAG represents stakeholder organisations, including the Royal Colleges of Physicians, Royal Colleges of Surgeons, Royal Colleges of Radiologists and Royal Colleges of General Practitioners, along with the British Society of Gastroenterology and, more recently, the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland and the Association of Upper GI Surgeons.
I was honoured to be appointed as JAG Chair in January 2023. Throughout my career, JAG has played a pivotal role in modernising UK endoscopy services and ensuring high-quality endoscopy training. JAG has adapted to the expanding endoscopy landscape in the UK, taking on additional responsibilities such as accrediting endoscopy services (including the Global Rating Scale) and accrediting screening endoscopists. I’ve had the privilege of being involved in all these aspects of JAG, and have learnt much from rubbing shoulders with its national clinical experts and the dedicated management team which tirelessly supports UK endoscopy.
Recently, two major initiatives have further enhanced JAG’s ability to support our endoscopy community: the National Endoscopy Database, which I established in 2013, and JETS Workforce (supporting training and career development for endoscopy nurses, soon extending to admin and clerical staff).
JAG’s impact has made UK endoscopy a global benchmark, providing patient-centred care of the highest quality. The UK’s multidisciplinary endoscopy community remains its greatest asset, with JAG at its heart. Here’s to the next 30 years!
Stay tuned for more JAG 30th anniversary content in the coming weeks.