Will the Minister provide an update on plans for endoscopy training in Wales, including the timeline of delivery for the proposed regional training academy, noting the importance of endoscopy services to the diagnosis and surveillance of Crohn’s and Colitis?
Health Education and Improvement Wales is working with health boards in south-east Wales to develop a clinical skills training academy for endoscopy, as part of the development of a Regional Diagnostic Centre.
The development of the academy can only be confirmed once the service model for the diagnostic centre has been agreed; procurement activity has completed, and training arrangements have been determined and approved.
In light of the above, I am not in a position to commit to a timeline. However, the NHS in Wales is not reliant on the establishment of an academy to train clinical endoscopists.