Improving quality in IBD services

• Improving quality in IBD services (pdf)

Crohn’s & Colitis UK were involved with (and made sure that the patient voice was heard at) 9 regional workshops which were held across England, Wales and Scotland. 

These were attended by over 250 NHS clinicians, managers and commissioners and brought people together across regions to discuss priority areas for quality improvement and develop action plans. 

A range of issues were identified, but the most common themes that emerged were:

• Developing patient pathways
• IBD nurses
• IBD Registry/database
• Setting up a patient panel/project group
• Psychological support
• Patient education
• Dietetic/nutritional support

The report gives more detail and some good case studies about the value of the workshops - and patient involvement - in helping to improve services. For example, one participant said: 

“The workshops are very useful for driving the service forward: the aim is to keep on track.  We now have psychological support for IBD patients which we did not list in our original priorities; however, this is a huge move forward.”

The IBD audit team at the Royal College of Physicians also visited a number of IBD services following the workshops and offered more specific support and guidance, which was very well received.

See how we are improving care and services for people with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis and how you can get involved.