The nurse practitioner endoscopist

Most upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopies in Great Britain and Irel and are performed by surgeons, physicians or radiologists. Since the introd uction of the 'nurse endoscopist' by the British Society of Gastroenterolog y Working Party, few centres in the UK have adopted this policy. We have re viewed the anxiety about nurse practitioner endoscopists among patients and physicians. Finally, the role and future of the nurse practitioner endosco pist in the UK is discussed.