HEIW Endoscopy Training Programme update
Published on 16/09/25
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is committed to training and developing a sustainable pipeline of endoscopists for NHS Wales to improve early diagnosis of a range of conditions and to deliver increasingly specialised and sophisticated interventions. The Endoscopy Academy of Wales was established in 2024 to directly address training deficits affecting the entire endoscopy workforce.
HEIW is pleased to share 2025 training dates in support of trainee endoscopists and endoscopy nurses, managers and admin and clerical staff in Wales. These courses are provided at Keir Hardie Academic Centre (Merthyr Tydfil), with high quality seminar rooms and dedicated clinical laboratory space.
Endoscopist Training
The programme supports the following JAG approved courses (which will be advertised via the JAG Endoscopy Training System (JETS website).
JAG Basic Upper GI course - Day 1 at Keir Hardie AC, Day 2 Royal Glamorgan Hospital
- 12 and 13 November 2025.
JAG Therapeutic Upper GI course - 2 day course at Keir Hardie AC
- 3 and 4 November 2025.
Other endoscopy courses:
SPRINT – 1 day induction to endoscopy course at Keir Hardie AC (FREE to Welsh delegates)
- 18 September 2025.
We continue to support the successful HEIW Clinical Endoscopy Programme as well as facilitate the delivery of endoscopy nurse oriented courses as outlined below. We have provided multiple courses for the first time this year including the Trans-Nasal Endoscopy course in January 2025 and an Endoscopic Non-Technical Skills course on the 4 September 2025 that would benefit all members of the endoscopy team.
Please check back to the endoscopy website as we continue to develop endoscopy education and delivery in Wales including the possibility of courses being delivered for the first time in North Wales this autumn, as well as updates on the Accelerated Training Programme being expanded upon in Cardiff.
Endoscopy Nurse Training
Since 2024 we have successfully trained 204 endoscopy nurses in response to demand from health boards across Wales. This has helped to address a backlog of training needs and is supporting the development of the endoscopy nursing workforce.
We will continue to facilitate ENDO 1 courses to support foundation training against the JETS Workforce competency framework and assist units to meet the new JAG mandate within the updated JAG Accreditation Standards (2023). ENDO 1 courses will continue to be run on a regional basis within hospitals, please email heiw.endoscopy@wales.nhs.uk to request a local course.
The ENDO2 course which supports the development of skills required by endoscopy assistants during therapeutic procedures is being updated and Welsh Training Leads are working with the JAG and Training Leads from other UK Endoscopy Academies to update the course format with a view to delivering this updated ENDO 2 format during 2025/26. Details will be made available as soon as JAG have approved the new format.
ENDO3 courses will be available to book online via the JETS website for nurses wishing to improve their skills in management, training, and leadership. In line with JAG’s update on the ENDO3 format we will seek to host an ENDO3 course in Wales in the Autumn of 2025. Please contact us if you are interested in attending.
Endoscopy Academy Phase 2
Our proposal for phase 2 of the development of the national Endoscopy Academy has been approved by our board and will now be submitted to Welsh Government for the transformation and acceleration of endoscopy education and training to sustainably address the needs of NHS Wales.
Ian Mathieson, Director of Education Strategy and Transformation at HEIW commented, “The Endoscopy Training Programme is working to build a skilled, resilient and future-ready workforce for NHS Wales. With the continued development of the Endoscopy Academy and a focus on both technical and non-technical skills across all staff groups, we’re ensuring that patients benefit from earlier diagnoses and safer, more effective care."
Further updates will be shared on Endoscopy Academy of Wales - HEIW
For any queries please contact the Endoscopy Academy Training team at 📧 HEIW.Endoscopy@wales.nhs.uk