The British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) Endoscopy Clinical Research Group aims to play a pivotal role in shaping the national research agenda for endoscopic practice in the UK.

Chaired by Dr Manu Nayar and supported by Dr Nisha Patel as deputy chair, the group brings together leading clinical academics, early-career trainee researchers, and clinical endoscopists committed to improving outcomes and innovation in endoscopic practice.

Vision and Goals

The group’s overarching vision is to embed research into routine endoscopic practice and to support the generation of evidence that informs guidelines, policy, and clinical decision-making. The key goals include:

• Identifying national research priorities in endoscopy through regular stakeholder consultation
• Facilitating the development, recruitment to and promotion of multicentre, high-impact clinical studies aligned with NIHR and BSG priorities
• Supporting early-career researchers and increasing equitable access to research opportunities across the UK
• Enhancing patient involvement and engagement in endoscopy-related research
• Promoting collaboration between academic centres, NHS Trusts, and industry partners

Key Projects and Activities

The group has been involved in or supported the development of a number of impactful studies including:

• PREVENT Study – a multicentre trial evaluating surveillance strategies for colorectal cancer prevention
• DISCOVER Study – investigating AI-assisted detection of upper GI neoplasia
• UK-wide audits and registries – including those focused on complex polypectomy outcomes and post-polypectomy bleeding
• Endo-Trial Toolkit – resources to support endoscopy units in becoming research-ready environments

The group also works closely with the NIHR Research Delivery Networks and other BSG research groups to encourage portfolio trial recruitment and facilitate the translation of evidence into practice.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in particular enables the health and care system to attract, optimise and deliver research across England.

Contact details for all RDNs (Research Delivery Network)

Future Priorities

Looking ahead, the BSG Endoscopy Clinical Research Group is focused on:

• Expanding research in underserved populations and addressing health inequalities in access to endoscopy
• Promoting digital innovation, including AI and data-driven approaches in endoscopic imaging and triage
• Supporting studies on sustainability and service delivery in endoscopy (e.g. list efficiency, workforce models)
• Developing collaborative networks to support rapid mobilisation for future national trials
• Enhancing integration of genomics, molecular diagnostics, and personalised surveillance in endoscopic care

Endoscopy PSP

The James Lind Alliance (JLA) works with Priority Setting Partnerships (PSPs) of patients, carers, and clinicians to identify and prioritise the unanswered questions or evidence uncertainties that they are agree are the most important for research to address.  Endoscopy CRG Chair, Manu Nayar leads on the PSP in Endoscopy. He is a full-time substantive Consultant Gastroenterologist at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne. His subspecialty area of interest is hepatobiliary and pancreatic endoscopy. This includes endoscopic management i.e., therapeutic ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound and management of benign & malignant pancreaticobiliary diseases.  

PSP is collaborative work of JLA, BSG and Guts UK and was initiated in the 2^nd half of the 2024. Main steering group includes of

• Dr Manu Nayar – PSP clinical lead
• Dr Nisha Patel – PSP clinical co lead 
• Guts UK - PSP Lead
• The Health Care Professionals including but not exclusive to consultants, surgeons, and specialist nurses working across the UK.  
• The public and patient involvement and engagement representatives will have lived experience of having endoscopy procedures and will cover the 4 nations. 

                                                                                               Read the full document here

Active Endoscopy Studies

The Active Studies section provides up-to-date information on current endoscopy research projects taking place across the UK. Here, you’ll find details about ongoing clinical trials, observational studies and collaborative initiatives aimed at advancing the understanding, safety, and effectiveness of endoscopic procedures. 

This section is designed to keep healthcare professionals, researchers, and patients informed about the latest developments and opportunities to get involved in shaping the future of endoscopy care.

Get Involved

The group welcomes collaboration with clinicians, researchers, trainees, and patients who are interested in shaping the future of endoscopy research. Expressions of interest in participating in working groups or submitting trial proposals are encouraged by emailing [email protected]. 

Endoscopy CRG Members: