Politicians break the silence on Crohn’s and Colitis

An incredible 532 of you wrote to your politicians about why raising awareness of Crohn’s and Colitis matters to you, inviting them to our events.  

Thanks to you, we spoke to a quarter of Welsh MSs and over 20 MPs at our drop in events about the impact of Crohn's and Colitis and how we can work together to improve diagnosis, care and lives for people living with these conditions.  

Our fantastic campaigners Keith Thomas and Fionn Newman shared their experience of living Crohn's and Colitis, whilst IBD Clinical Nurse Specialists Bridgette Fraser and Helen Ludlow, explained what it was like to be working on the frontline of IBD care. Their stories helped us to advocate the challenges that patients and healthcare professionals face to politicians and the importance of speaking up on these issues in Parliament.

In Scotland, Clare Adamson MSP, Co-Convener of the Cross Party Group for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, raised the important issue of improving awareness of the symptoms and reducing stigma of Crohn’s and Colitis at First Minister’s Questions. In Northern Ireland, MLAs raised awareness on social media and in the press. 

In Westminster, Hannah Bardell MP, co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Crohn’s and Colitis, secured a debate to mark Awareness Week, sharing powerful stories of her constituents, friends and family. She was joined by fellow MPs who called for Government action to improve diagnosis, access to toilets and disability benefits.  

None of this would be possible without you. Responding to the debate, Andrew Stephenson MP, Minister for Health and Secondary Care acknowledged how important campaigners are saying: