World IBD Day 2021

That this House welcomes World IBD Day; appreciates the work by Crohn’s & Colitis UK in producing their new report, Crohn’s and Colitis Care in the UK: The Hidden Cost and a Vision for Change; notes with concern the findings of that report that more than a quarter of people wait longer than one year for a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease or Colitis, with many people having had to visit A&E departments for emergency treatment; regrets that symptoms of IBD such as fatigue, emotional well-being and pain are often overlooked, with 91 per cent of patients not receiving a personalised care plan; notes the profound effect of the covid-19 pandemic on diagnosis, access to specialist advice, investigations and surgery for people with Crohn’s disease and Colitis; further regrets that less than half of patients feel their care is appropriately coordinated with the required specialist services; calls on healthcare professional associations, training bodies and patient organisations to work together to upskill community healthcare professionals in recognising potential IBD; and urges the Government to make IBD a priority by communicating a clear strategy on improving care over the next five years.