Endoscopy service at Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital receives prestigious recognition for excellence in care
The Endoscopy unit at Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital (SRP), one of our community hospital sites based in Tamworth, has achieved the prestigious Joint Advisory Group (JAG) accreditation, a hallmark of excellence in endoscopy services.
This achievement places the unit among an elite group of gastrointestinal endoscopy services in the UK and Republic of Ireland - recognised for meeting rigorous, high-quality standards in clinical care, patient experience, and service delivery.
JAG accreditation, awarded by the Royal College of Physicians, is a nationally recognised programme that assesses endoscopy services, covering every aspect of care - from decontamination and administration to the physical environment, ensuring a seamless, safe, and patient-centred experience. The accreditation is valid for five years, and is subject to annual reviews to ensure sustained quality and improvement.
The SRP unit underwent a comprehensive review process led by an expert team of assessors, including an analysis of key performance data, audits, and patient feedback - as well as an on-site assessment involving interviews with staff and patients. These assessors praised the professionalism, dedication, and teamwork of the SRP endoscopy team, highlighting their success in reducing waiting lists and their patient-first approach.
Speaking about the significance of this recognition, Dr. Nicholas Taylor, Consultant Hepatologist and Clinical Lead (ACD) in Endoscopy at UHDB, said: "In simple terms, JAG accreditation is a clear framework that outlines what the highest-quality endoscopy care should look like.
"Rightly, it's a very rigorous process which evaluates the entire experience for both patients and staff. For us, achieving this accreditation is a testament to the outstanding efforts of our team at SRP, especially as it’s one of our smaller units. This recognition underscores their hard work, adaptability, and dedication to delivering exceptional care."
The team’s adaptability and teamwork have been vital in navigating challenges, including staff changes and operational adjustments following the merger of the Trust in 2018, and the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic just two years later in 2020. Reflecting on their journey to this achievement, Susanne Johnson, who leads the SRP endoscopy team as Matron, shared her perspective, saying: "This accreditation is a seal of approval that validates the incredible work our team does every day.
"It’s particularly special for SRP, where the team operates flexibly across surgical and medical cases while maintaining a focus on patient-centred care. The glowing feedback from assessors about our waiting list reduction and the overall patient experience reflects this commitment."
The unit is distinguished by its personalised approach to patient care, putting the patient at the forefront of all that they do. From the moment they arrive, they are greeted by a dedicated team of professionals who guide them through every step of their procedure. Each patient has a private room for pre- and post-procedure care, ensuring familiarity and comfort.
Explaining what makes the team so "special", Dr Taylor added that they are "above all else, a caring and competent team". Patient feedback has consistently highlighted the compassionate and professional nature of the team, with many noting the respectful and comforting environment provided.
Looking to the future, the team are introducing a range of new initiatives to further enhance the care they provide, including transnasal endoscopy - a procedure performed through the nose rather than the mouth, offering better tolerance, and eliminating the need for sedation and anaesthetic. In doing so, this will allow patients to recover quickly and resume their daily activities shortly after the procedure.
Dr. Taylor elaborated: "This endoscopy procedure is a game-changer for routine diagnostic care. It’s quicker, better tolerated, and better for the patient's overall experience. We’ve trained several of our nurse endoscopists to deliver this service, and we’re excited to roll it out soon as part of a direct GP referral program."
In addition, SRP has become what is known as a 'spoke site' for the Midlands Endoscopy Academy - providing training for endoscopists, nursing staff, and other team members to further elevate the unit’s standards.
For patients, JAG accreditation is a reassurance of the high standards of care they will receive. It signifies a safe, professional, and patient-centred service that meets national benchmarks - and is rigorously maintained. Susanne added: "It ensures that we remain accountable and committed to delivering the best care possible, while also supporting our staff through structured training and professional development."