UHNM hosts first national Complications in Endoscopy Symposium

Patients from across the UK who have complications following a endoscopy procedures are to benefit from actions as a result of an event hosted by University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM).
 
Patients, families, and healthcare professionals from across the UK were joined by partners including legal experts and judicial officials at the first National Complications in Endoscopy Symposium on 6 and 7 February.
 
The two-day event held at Etruria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent was endorsed by the British Society of Gastroenterology and featured panel discussions and lectures focusing on ways to improve the psychosocial impact on patients, their loved ones and clinicians following a complication, as well as ways to better avoid and manage complications.
 
Dr Srisha Hebbar, Consultant Gastroenterologist at UHNM, said: “Discussing complications is not only essential for informed decision making, but it also contributes towards a culture of learning and continuous improvement, whilst these open discussions also build trust between professionals and patients.
 
“The aim of the symposium was to explore factors contributing to the complications, and develop ways to reflect and manage the outcomes.
 
“We developed strategies to avoid or minimise complications and discussed therapeutic measures of dealing with them, as well as looking into the clinical governance aspects of complications, and the ethical and legal aspects involved.                                                                                                                                    
 
“The event was attended by medical and surgical endoscopists, clinical endoscopists, trainees and nurses from across the UK and Europe, who appreciated its openness, transparency, with many learning points and take-home messages. This was a step forward towards normalising discussions on complications, and many also felt this was a hugely therapeutic experience.”