Endoscopy Nurse Navigator pilot at Grampians Health
A new Endoscopy Nurse Navigator pilot is helping to improve access, coordination and patient experience across the endoscopy pathway at Grampians Health
Developed through the Colonoscopy Access Project and supported by Grampians Integrated Cancer Service (GICS), the 12‑month pilot introduces a dedicated Endoscopy Nurse Navigator role to provide a point of coordination for patients referred for colonoscopy and other endoscopy procedures.
The pilot aims to streamline referral management, improve communication between patients, general practitioners and hospital services, and support timely access to care in line with optimal clinical pathways. The model has been designed to enhance efficiency and consistency throughout the patient journey while ensuring patients are prioritised according to clinical need.
The Endoscopy Nurse Navigator works across the referral and waitlist pathway, supporting the review and management of referrals, coordinating communication with patients and referrers, and helping identify opportunities to improve workflow processes. The role also contributes to improving the completeness and quality of referral information, assisting with accurate referral categorisation and supporting earlier intervention for patients requiring timely care.
The pilot is one of six improvement initiatives delivered through the Colonoscopy Access Project, which has focused on reducing barriers to timely colonoscopy access through referral management improvements, digital solutions, surveillance management and enhanced use of the National Cancer Screening Register. The development of the Endoscopy Nurse Navigator Pilot was identified as a key initiative to strengthen coordination across the patient pathway and support more equitable access to care.
The pilot will be monitored through regular governance and reporting processes, with outcomes informing future decisions about the sustainability and potential expansion of the model. Success measures will focus on improved referral workflows, patient communication, waitlist management and overall patient experience.
This pilot role has been appointed to Ana Hartigan – pictured above.
