In this the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, a nurse from Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre is celebrating her 15th year in the specialist area of endoscopy.

An endoscopy is when a tube with a camera is inserted into your body through your mouth, nose or anus to help identify and diagnose the cause of a variety of symptoms.

Anne Thompson is clinical lead nurse in the Endoscopy Department at Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre.

She started her career as an endoscopy nurse at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton in 1989, a specialism path she has followed with the exception of a period in the 2000s when she ran her own business and worked in health and social care. Since 1989 she has seen endoscopy develop.

She said: "Endoscopy was at this point still being carried out in any available space and had none of the vast decontamination processes or specialist machines that are available today.

"The decontamination process in endoscopy has come a long way to the point there is now degree in the subject."

Anne is passionate about endoscopy because of the level of patient contact which comes with the procedure.

She has undergone endoscopic procedures herself and it able to bring her own experiences to reassuring conversations with patients.

She said: "'I've read on the internet' and 'I know of someone who has had one of these and it was awful' are frequent things we hear from patients heightening their level of anxiety.

"Having undergone some endoscopic procedures myself, I have greater insight and empathy regarding the patient's endoscopy journey and how to improve that experience."

Anne joined Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre in 2017.

She said: "As clinical lead I have responsibility for not only supporting the team - coaching, mentoring and teaching where required to ensure the skill mix and competency is met - but also in providing support to the endoscopist as their assistant throughout the procedure, taking biopsies, removing polyps which can be difficult and require concentration, expertise and knowledge.

"I also provide support when the endoscopist has to deliver bad news and ensure the appropriate next steps have been followed through for this event.

"You will find yourself checking your team to ensure they are OK after such an event as you have an awareness that some days this may affect them more than others.

"You are having to quickly switch into next patient mode and focus - this is not always easy when you have only a few minutes ago left a distressed patient and their loved ones."

Reflecting on her 15th year in endoscopy and her role at Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre, Anne said: "I still have the same passion for endoscopy as I did in 1989 and still firmly believe that the patient experience is at the forefront of what we do.

"The skills and experience required are numerous on a technical, practical and emotional level with each individual in the team providing that skill mix and dynamic.

"No two days are the same in this arena, and you are constantly learning and striving to improve the quality of the service provided.

"But it's worth it when you receive comments such as: 'I was made to feel relaxed and comfortable. I was treated as a person rather than a number. If I had to give a rating it would be 5*'."

Catherine Farr, head of nursing and clinical services at Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre, said: "We congratulate Anne on her 15th year in endoscopy, as we celebrate the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife.

"Anne is indicative of our wider team, which is made up of clinical professionals with many years' experience and expertise – all part of our commitment to place patients and outstanding patient care at the heart of everything we do.

"Not only is their knowledge and professional approach beneficial to our patients, but it is also vital to the ongoing mentoring and development of other colleagues."