The next Scottish Parliament election will be held on Thursday 7 May 2026. We have a vital opportunity to make sure the voices of people with Crohn’s and Colitis are heard.

More than 50,000 or 1 in 103 people in Scotland are living with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, the two main forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). This is nearly double previous estimates, and Scotland now has the highest prevalence of IBD in the UK.  

Too many people living with Crohn’s or Colitis in Scotland face long waits for a diagnosis, difficulties accessing ongoing support and anxieties about finding a toilet when out and about.

Without change, these issues will only get worse. The impact on the NHS is increasing year on year. The cost of care for someone with Crohn’s or Colitis is now comparable to cancer and heart disease. Yet inadequate resources and underfunded health services means thousands of people may go without the treatment they need, leading to serious complications, avoidable hospital admissions and emergency surgery.

We’re calling on the next Scottish Government to take action in three key areas:

1) DIAGNOSIS IN WEEKS, NOT YEARS

Four in five people suffer through debilitating symptoms for over a month before getting any medical advice. Too many are stuck on waiting lists, with three in five waiting over four weeks from referral to diagnosis, and one in six waiting over a year.

To speed up diagnosis, we're urging the next Government to:

• Partner with charities to raise awareness of IBD symptoms.
• Introduce a national diagnostic pathway so people get the right tests quickly and receive a diagnosis sooner.
• Invest in endoscopy services to expand capacity and cut long waits.

2) NOT JUST SEEN, SEEN BY A SPECIALIST

Crohn’s and Colitis are complex conditions that require expert, multidisciplinary care — but IBD services in Scotland are overstretched. Many people can’t access specialist nurses, psychological support, or dietary advice when they need it. We’re calling for:

• A national plan to secure and grow the specialist IBD nursing workforce.
• Better access to psychological and dietetic support in every IBD service.

3) A TOILET SHOULDN'T BE A LUXURY

Urgent and unpredictable toilet needs can make everyday activities stressful or impossible. With many public toilets closing, people with IBD are facing increased isolation and anxiety. We want the next Government to:

• Introduce a legal duty for councils to improve public toilet provision.
• Ensure new buildings and infrastructure include accessible toilets.