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Motion · S6M-18194 · 30 Jun 2025

Calling for a National Specialist Nursing Plan to Support People Living with Long-term Conditions, Including Crohn’s Disease and Colitis

Lodged by Colin Smyth Standard Motion 26 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament considers that Crohn’s disease and colitis are complex, long-term conditions that require specialist support; believes that the availability of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) nurse specialists across Scotland is vital for people living with IBD to be able to access responsive health services and improved clinical outcomes and understands that many patients describe them as their "lifeline"; considers that GPs cannot provide the same level of tailored support as trained IBD nurses; believes that the timely advice provided by IBD nurses can prevent costly interventions like hospitalisation and A&E admission; further believes that everyone living with IBD should have access to a suitably trained IBD nurse specialist to ensure improved clinical outcomes through rapid response to flares with prompt treatment and escalation of treatment; expresses concern at reports that only one third of IBD services in Scotland currently meet the recommended nurse staffing levels set out in the IBD standards; notes reports that the number of people diagnosed with IBD in Scotland has nearly doubled since those standards were set, and supports Crohn’s & Colitis UK’s call for a national specialist nursing plan to expand the workforce and improve access to trained nurse specialists for people living with long-term conditions, including Crohn’s disease and colitis.

Supporters (26)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.