How your stories keep Crohn’s and Colitis on the political agenda in Scotland

Chaired by Pauline McNeill MSP and supported by Crohn’s & Colitis UK, it includes Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), healthcare professionals, policymakers and people affected by Crohn’s and Colitis.

The group works to raise awareness and maintain a high profile for Crohn’s and Colitis as healthcare priorities. Regular meetings provide focus and momentum for service improvement work with the support of the Scottish Government and the Scottish IBD community.

Knowledge and insight

Personal stories are shared at every CPG meeting and inform and help to shape the work of the CPG.

“I have been particularly impressed by the adults and young people living with Crohn’s and colitis who have spoken so eloquently and bravely at meetings about how these conditions have touched every aspect of their lives. What is really striking for me is their rich knowledge of what does and doesn’t work in health services and the potential to use this knowledge and insight in developing new models for the future. Their courage in speaking out in the Scottish Parliament is ensuring that the group are well informed.” Pauline McNeill

The group met during Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness week to discuss IBD care for young people and actions that can be taken by the CPG to improve this. Issues highlighted included transition from paediatric to adult services and the lack of psychological support for young people in adult services. The group heard from a mother of two teenage boys who have had strikingly different experiences in paediatric and adult IBD services in Scotland.

Keeping IBD on the agenda

Acknowledging that there is still much work to do to ensure everyone with Crohn’s and Colitis in Scotland receives high-quality care, Pauline said:

“I am proud to say that I am chairing an absolutely vital group, supported by Crohn’s and Colitis UK and with enthusiastic input from across the political spectrum, the clinical community and of course from people living with these lifelong, chronic and often stigmatising conditions. I will make sure in this Parliament that IBD issues are high on the health agenda.”

Pauline has tabled a Motion in the Scottish Parliament for Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week and written to MSPs to ask for their support.

Read Pauline’s interview for Connect Now in February 2021