British Society of Gastroenterology/Joint Advisory Group on GI Endoscopy Delphi method of consensus recommendations for standardised upper gastrointestinal bleeding haemostasis courses

Key Takeaways for GI Nurses

• The BSG/JAG has used a formal Delphi consensus process to establish standardised national recommendations for upper GI bleeding (UGIB) haemostasis training courses, moving away from variable, unit-specific training approaches.
• Endoscopy nurses and nurse endoscopists involved in haemostasis procedures should anticipate updated competency frameworks and course structures that will define what "standardised" training looks like going forward.
• Nurse managers and educators should review current in-house or regional haemostasis training pathways against these new consensus recommendations to identify gaps before compliance reviews or accreditation visits.
• This regulatory update signals a broader move toward standardisation of emergency endoscopic training across UK units, which may affect staffing rotas, on-call competency requirements, and course funding/release time for nursing staff.

Clinical Relevance

Upper GI bleeding remains one of the most time-critical emergencies encountered in endoscopy units, and the competence of the full endoscopic team—including nursing staff managing sedation, equipment, and immediate post-procedure monitoring—is central to patient outcomes. Historically, haemostasis training has varied considerably between deaneries and training centres, creating inconsistency in how nurses and trainee endoscopists are prepared for high-pressure bleeding scenarios. By using a Delphi consensus method, the BSG/JAG working group has sought input from a panel of experts to converge on agreed standards, which lends credibility and broad professional buy-in to the resulting recommendations. For nursing staff, this means training content, simulation exposure, and assessment criteria for haemostasis-related competencies are likely to become more predictable and portable across units.

From an operational standpoint, endoscopy unit managers will need to reassess how haemostasis training is scheduled and resourced. Standardised courses often require dedicated simulation time, faculty-to-trainee ratios, and post-course competency sign-off—all of which have staffing and budgetary implications. Nurses in senior or lead roles may be asked to contribute to local implementation plans, ensuring that rotas accommodate protected training time without compromising emergency bleed cover. Compliance officers should also expect that future unit accreditation or JAG certification visits may reference adherence to these standardised course frameworks, making early review of local training records a prudent step.

For professional development, this shift reinforces the value of formal, recognised training pathways over informal or ad hoc mentorship in haemostasis skills. Nurses working toward extended roles—such as nurse endoscopist positions involving therapeutic intervention—may find that standardised course completion becomes an explicit expectation rather than a variable local requirement. This can strengthen career progression clarity but also means nursing staff should proactively seek information on when and how these standardised courses will be rolled out locally, and whether existing training will be recognised or require supplementation to meet the new consensus standard.

Bottom Line

Busy GI nurses should treat this Delphi consensus update as an early signal that UGIB haemostasis training is moving toward a nationally standardised model—now is the time to check in with unit leadership about how and when these new course requirements will be implemented locally, so that competency records, training schedules, and emergency cover remain compliant and patient care is not disrupted.