Most upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopies in Great Britain and Ireland are performed by surgeons, physicians or radiologists. Since the introduction of the 'nurse endoscopist' by the British Society of Gastroenterology Working Party, few centres in the UK have adopted this policy. We have reviewed the anxiety about nurse practitioner endoscopists among patients and physicians. Finally, the role and future of the nurse practitioner endoscopist in the UK is discussed.