ADVISORY GROUPS

A multi-disciplinary group of experts were invited to take part in a series of advisory meetings between July 2003 and March 2004 during which the anonymised casenotes
were reviewed and areas of concern highlighted. The group included upper and lower GI physicians and surgeons, anaesthetists, a senior endoscopy nurse, an endoscopy unit manager, a general practitioner and pathologists. During these meetings, advisors
reviewed the questionnaires in association with the relevant casenotes, where available,
and completed a questionnaire assessment form (Appendix C) based on their clinical knowledge and experience. A separate group of pathology advisors reviewed the autopsy reports and histopathology findings and completed the corresponding questionnaire assessment forms (Appendix C).

This peer review process remains a strength of NCEPOD methodology that is accepted
and welcomed by clinicians. Advisors are able to review the patient journey and take into account many factors that are difficult to capture from a questionnaire. In this report, vignettes will be used to illustrate points highlighted during the advisory meetings.