Specialist nursing provision for IBD patients under the spotlight at Northern Ireland

With approximately 8,500 people in Northern Ireland living with Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and other forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, the IBD Standards recommend that for larger IBD services, two or more IBD nurses are needed and for smaller services at least one IBD nurse should be available. However, currently none of the respondents to the audit met the recommended level.

Paula Bradley MLA will host an evening reception with Crohn’s & Colitis UK on Tuesday 9th June at the Northern Ireland Assembly with Members of the Legislative Assembly to highlight the need for more IBD specialist nurses and services to meet the IBD Standards, whilst raising awareness of the impact of IBD on individuals. Joined by Simon Hamilton, the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, and David Barker, Chief Executive of Crohn’s & Colitis UK, the Northern Ireland Assembly Members will meet clinicians, policy makers and patients to learn more about the IBD community and the future direction of care that is expected.

Paula Bradley, MLA for Glengormley said;

“I am delighted to host such a fantastic event that can help bring more awareness of these debilitating diseases that are not often discussed. Being diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can have a life changing impact reducing the quality of life, affecting the ability to work or learn or to take an active role in the community. Without the right support, many of those affected risk becoming socially isolated or disadvantaged. Therefore it is essential that more is done to make sure that the National IBD Standards are met so that these people get the best quality care possible.”

David Barker, Chief Executive at Crohn’s & Colitis UK added;

“I am constantly inspired by the dedication and hard work of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals in Northern Ireland who are responsible for the treatment and care of patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Despite this, the stark reality is that services in Northern Ireland are falling short of the minimum standards required for quality care. The facts are striking – not enough specialist nurses, a service at breaking point and as a result patients are suffering. We have a collective duty to all patients to address this and I am looking forward to working in collaboration with all of the necessary parties to identify ways in which we can begin to turn things around. Previous IBD clinical audits have demonstrated that IBD nurses can reduce hospital admissions due to their ability to closely monitor patient’s well-being and response to medication, and intervene if a patient becomes acutely ill and need hospitalisation”

Crohn’s & Colitis UK recently launched My Crohn’s & Colitis Care, a patient guide to the top 10 essentials of a good IBD service to help patients get the best quality of care. This practical resource has been developed with the support of patients, healthcare professionals and health organisations, and is the patient companion to The IBD Standards. The aim of the new guide is to empower people with IBD to get the best from their local health service by working in partnership with their healthcare team.