COLITIS AND CROHN'S DISEASE

That this House recognises the potentially debilitating nature of inflammatory bowel disease, and the effect this can have on carrying out everyday tasks; notes that Crohn's disease and colitis are not as well understood by the general public as some other conditions and is concerned that the Department for Work and Pensions and Jobcentre Plus policies do not always reflect the needs of these conditions; acknowledges that the conditions can change over time, and that it can be difficult to assess whether sufferers are fit for work on an ongoing basis; welcomes the publication of the Quality Care Standards for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, the first national framework on how to treat these conditions; and calls on the Government to ensure that health workers, Department for Work and Pensions staff and Jobcentre Plus staff are given adequate training to respond to the needs of people with colitis and Crohn's disease.