ENDOSCOPY is a broad term for a range of non-surgical procedures used to examine, diagnose or treat gastrointestinal disorders.

The procedures are carried out by using an endoscope, a flexible tube with a light and camera attached to it to look inside the digestive tract.

Senior sister for the endoscopy/radiology nursing team at Salisbury District Hospital (SDH) Lisa Phillips said: “We can have up to a maximum of 60 patients a day with the majority of cases being day cases. Some procedures can take seven minutes, with others taking up to an hour.

"We have a relatively small team and are incredibly busy but the whole team try to make sure it’s a positive patient experience for every patient.”

The staff see a whole array of patients with those suffering from very minor elements such as acid reflux to the more complex serious disorders.

Endoscopy involves looking at both the upper and lower GI tract as well as the lungs. The unit also forms part of the bowel cancer screening programme and screens patients weekly.

The nursing team is currently made up of 19 members of staff from nursing assistants to staff nurses, sisters and nurse endoscopists and currently has vacancies. There is an opportunity to learn new specialised nursing skills within the endoscopy/radiology nursing team and an opportunity for future progression.

Ms Phillips said there is no need to have the specialist skills before you join the department as a full competency programme is offered.

Starting at SDH as a healthcare support worker in 2001, Ms Phillips qualified as a staff nurse in 2008 after completing a national diploma with the Open University. In 2010 she became a junior sister, and in 2014 the senior sister.

"I absolutely love my job and the care we provide our patients,” she said. “we all do. "You meet so many individuals every single day and no two are alike.

“Most of our patients entering the unit are anxious because of the procedure that is about to be carried out and the uncertainty around their diagnosis, but they are the reason we are here."

“All patients are give a Friends and Family feed back form, providing feedback on their experience- the positive response we have from that is brilliant and that’s what makes the nursing team get up in the morning and come in.”