Better Diagnosis, Better Care, Better Lives: Making the Welsh Election Count

The next Welsh Parliament (Senedd) 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.

Too many people living with Crohn's or Colitis in Wales 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 Welsh Government to take action in three key areas:

DIAGNOSIS IN WEEKS, NOT YEARS

One in three people are waiting over a year with debilitating symptoms to see a healthcare professional. Too many are stuck on waiting lists, with one in five waiting over six months from referral to diagnosis.

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

• Partner with charities to raise awareness of Crohn's and Colitis symptoms.
• Invest in endoscopy services to expand capacity and cut long waits.

NOT JUST SEEN, SEEN BY A SPECIALIST

Crohn's and Colitis are complex conditions that require expert, multidisciplinary care - but Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) services in Wales are overstretched. Many people can’t access specialist nurses, psychological support, or dietary advice when they need it.

We’re calling for: 

• A long-term workforce plan for the IBD multidisciplinary team, to deliver high-quality effective care for patients at all stages of the journey.
• Targeted funding to recruit, retain, and train more IBD Nurse Specialists.
• Better access to psychological and dietetic support in every IBD service. 

IMPROVE ACCESS TO TOILETS

Urgent and unpredictable toilet needs can make everyday activities stressful or impossible. With many public toilets closing, people living with Crohn’s or Colitis are facing increased isolation and anxiety.

We are calling on the Welsh Government to work with local authorities and businesses to:

• Improve access to toilets, including reliable information so people can plan.
• Adopt ‘Not Every Disability is Visible’ signage and recognise ‘Can’t Wait Cards’, so that people with Crohn’s or Colitis are able to access toilets without fear of stigma or abuse.