Scottish Parliamentary Group on IBD celebrates its first year

The group includes Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) from all the major parties, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Health Care Professionals, policy makers and patients.

There is currently no other group in The Scottish Parliament looking at the issues faced by people with Crohn’s and Colitis, which affect at least one in 210 people across the UK, and possibly more in Scotland.

The Cross Party Group provides a focus and drive for service improvement in Scotland with the support of the Scottish Government and key members of the IBD community. At each meeting, members identify one or more key ‘asks’ or parliamentary activities – such as writing letters to decision makers or seeking meetings with Ministers.

The main aims of the 'Scotland Leading the Way' Blueprint include improving patient access to advice and information as well as continuing to develop responsive specialist IBD services.

Scotland is the only UK country doing this on behalf of this group of patients in this way. 

Crohn's & Colitis UK have supported MSPs and key members of the IBD community including a cross section of professionals, patients and colleagues, to establish a Cross Party Group. As well as promoting and monitoring the implementation of the Blueprint, the group is an important vehicle for raising awareness of these conditions which affect 26,000 Scots.

Since the inaugural meeting in February 2017, there have been a further three meetings covering:

• Service redesign, opening dialogue with Health Board Chief Executives, the use of data and e-health technologies;
• Children and young people, the high incidence of IBD in Scotland and the need for age appropriate services;
• Self-management and psychological support.

This year’s work plan includes:

• IBD Specialist Nursing and the vital role of IBD Nurses;
• Revisiting service redesign and the use of e-health technologies in IBD services;
• Awareness raising activities around Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week in December.

In an opinion piece for the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland, the group’s Convener, Pauline McNeill MSP reflects on her first year of chairing the group, why improving IBD services is so important to her and the profound impact hearing directly from people living with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis has had upon her.

Any members of the public or health care professionals can attend meetings of the Cross Party Group on IBD and contribute to its work. If you would like more information, please contact Nancy Greig at: nancy.greig@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk.