The BSG Clinical Services and Standards Committee has a remit to advance excellent patient care by improving service delivery, encouraging quality improvement, and producing guidelines and standards of care based on the best available evidence. There are 14 Regional Reps representing the 11 English regions, and Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland representatives. In 2020, the committee was restructured and the regional representatives were given a dedicated meeting with the Chair. This has considerably strengthened the Committee, as was evident by the response to the COVID-19 pandemic the subsequent recovery pressures which we now endure.

CSSC Strategy

This document provides members with: an introduction from the BSG President and Chair of the CSSC Committee; an introduction of the committee, as well as how we are going to provide a networking forum for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in the UK; and a summary of strategic priorities for improving services and clinical guidelines.

Read the strategy here.

Clinical Services and Standards Work

BSG Guidelines and Guidance

CSSC commissions guidelines on the management of gastrointestinal and liver disorders to promote and improve the standard of practice of clinical gastroenterology. Please familiarise yourself with the below:

• Writing and Review Process on the Production of BSG Guidelines (updated annually)
• BSG Guidelines development flow chart
• BSG Endorsement Criteria
• Guidance for Commercial Influence in Consultations

BSG Consultations

The BSG receives many requests to participate in consultative processes. Many of these concern technical matters directly pertaining to the practice of gastroenterology, or of its major subspecialties including hepatology and endoscopy.

Most will originate from Government agencies such as NICE, or Health Improvement Scotland but the range of potential organisations is high. Many requests will be relayed through the Royal Colleges. The time frame for responding can be very short, making it essential that the BSG processes any request, decides on an appropriate response and replies, as efficiently as possible.

Please send consultations to [email protected]

BSG Quality Improvement

The mission of the BSG is to support its members to provide the best care and achieve the best outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal and liver diseases. As one of the ways to achieve this, the BSG has embarked on a quality improvement project through the Clinical Services and Standards Committee (CSSC).

Read more

BSG Regional Representatives

BSG regional reps perform an important role, coordinating regional intelligence on the challenges faced by colleagues across the UK, as well as acting   as the RCP Regional Specialty Advisor (RSA) and overseeing the considered approval of new consultant post job descriptions, 

Current list of Representatives can be viewed below.

BSG Clinical Representatives

We receive requests from a range of external organisations. This includes requests from NICE, SIGN, NHSX, NHSE, NHS Scotland, individual Trusts/health boards, and international organisations, including Invited Service Reviews via RCP.

The BSG contributes to these organisations’ work by identifying clinicians with suitable expertise and experience with the BSG and a small cohort of clinicians with special interests in key areas of gastroenterology. 

Four Nations and Regional Gut Clubs

• Scottish Society of Gastroenterology
• Welsh Association for Gastroenterology & Endoscopy (WAGE)
• Ulster Society of Gastroenterology

Regional Gut Clubs

• East of England Gut Club -  Contacts: Richard Warbarton ([email protected]) and Hemant Laxaman ([email protected])
• Gloucestershire Gastro Group - Contact: [email protected]
• Mersey Gut Club - Contact: [email protected]
• Midland Gastroenterological Nurses Society - website: mgns.org.uk
• Midland Gastroenterological Society - Enquiries: [email protected]
• Northern Region Gut Club (meetings Spring and Autumn) - Contact: Richard Speight (Ally) ([email protected])
• Oxford Regional Gut Club - Contact: Kate Evans ([email protected])
• South West Gastroenterology Society - Contact: John Christie
• South Yorkshire - Contact: Mo Thoufeeq ([email protected])
• Wessex Gut Club - Contact President: Dr PM Goggin

Committee Members