P320 SWETA survey on the clinical endoscopist workforce in the Southwest

IntroductionDemand on endoscopy services is increasing with an ageing population and expansion of the national bowel cancer screening programme. Endoscopist workforce expansion is required to meet these demands. The BSG Workforce Report has shown that consultant expansion will not be sufficient to meet growing endoscopy demand. The South West Endoscopy Training Academy (SWETA) sees recruitment and retention of Clinical Endoscopists (CEs) as a priority to meet this workforce gap.The aim of the survey was to develop a better understanding of CE’s current workload, training and development plans in the South West and to understand barriers to development in their current roles and ongoing advancement to help with future recruitment and retention.MethodologyWe identified all 70 CEs in the southwest region and sent out a detailed online survey to them. The response rate was 53%ResultsThe average number of endoscopy lists performed by respondents was 3.5.4 (9%) of CE report plan to retire within the next 5 years and 10 (38%) within the next 10 years but 17 (35%) do not plan to retire until between 2050/60.There was a wealth of experience with 63% of CE having been practicing for over 5 years.Respondents were asked if there was anything they didn’t like about their role and what would lead them to stop practising endoscopy.• Lack of admin support• Physical strain of role• Lack of opportunity for develop further• Lack of teaching and supervision• Not able to do own histology and follow up• Not enough time• Stress• Responsibility• Physicality/repetitive strain• Role progression• Role bandingMany respondents felt that they were not given enough time or opportunity to develop their skills further in a way that they felt would be beneficial to themselves as practitioners or their service. Some clinical endoscopists report that they would benefit from increased support to maintain competence in their role.Some CEs reported that their role is limited and that they are used more as technicians rather than fully autonomous practitioners. Many though feel that they are satisfied with their job and have other roles that complement their work as an endoscopists and can develop in a way that they would like.ConclusionCEs are a key part of the endoscopists workforce and numbers are going to have to increase to match increasing demandAverage retirement dates are decades away meaning they will continue to provide service in the short to long term.CEs report the desire to have co