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What is the primary care diagnostic pathway for lower GI conditions?Delayed diagnosis for gastrointestinal (GI) conditions has a significant impact on both patients and the NHS.
Charities supporting people with lower GI symptoms have ongoing concerns, supported by evidence, that delayed diagnosis continues to impact on the people they represent.
Whilst there are many individual pathways and guidance materials aimed at specific diseases, these often are not helpful for a patient presenting with symptoms, rather than a diagnosed condition, and it can be unhelpful for the first contact healthcare practitioner to need to refer to many separate documents.
There is now broad agreement that to make a real impact going forward, a nationally agreed pathway for the diagnosis of people presenting with lower GI symptoms is needed. Lower GI charities working in partnership with healthcare professional organisations and patients have come together to develop this pathway in the UK.
The pathway recently went out for consultation, receiving a huge response from professionals in primary care and secondary care, as well as people living with lower GI conditions. The consultation CLOSED on Friday 27th October 2023. Thanks to everyone for their comments.
If you have any questions about this work, or would like to get more involved with the project, get in touch at healthservices@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk
The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain & Ireland
British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG)
British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (BSPGHAN)
Crohn's in Childhood Research Association (CICRA)
Hilary Croft - CEO of Coeliac UK
Dr Keith Lindley - Consultant and Honorary Reader in Paediatric Gastroenterology
Dr Charles Maxwell-Armstrong - Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon
Alison Reid - CEO of IBS Network
Sarah Sleet - CEO of Crohn's & Colitis UK
Julie Thompson - Information Manager for Guts UK
Heidi Urwin - Director of Evidence and Policy for Coeliac UK
Dr Andrew Veitch - President of British Society of Gastroenterology
Dr Sarah Alderson - GP
Dr Ian Arnott - Consultant Gastroenterologist in Scotland
Debra Attwood (co-chair) - Lived experience of Ulcerative Colitis
Pearl Avery - IBD Nurse Specialist
Mr Sas Banerjee - Consultant Colorectal Surgeon
Grace Brownfield - Lived experience of Coeliac Disease
Dr Shahida Din (co-chair) - Consultant Gastroenterologist in Scotland
Dr Barney Hawthorne - IBD Lead in Wales
Tor Maxted - Lived experience of IBS
Dr Andrew Murdock - Consultant Gastroenterologist in Northern Ireland
Dr Astor Rodrigues - Paediatric Consultant Gastroenterolgist
Dr Christian Selinger - Consultant Gastroenterologist
Dr Leena Sinha - Chair of BSG small bowel and nutrition group
Dr Neal Tucker - GP
Prof James Turvill - Consultant Gastroenterologist, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS FT
Dr Jeremy Woodward - Member of BSG small bowel and nutrition group
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We know it can be difficult to live with, or support someone living with these conditions. But you’re not alone. We provide up-to-date, evidence-based information and can support you to live well with Crohn’s or Colitis.
Our helpline team can help by:
Providing information about Crohn’s and Colitis.
Listening and talking through your situation.
Helping you to find support from others in the Crohn’s and Colitis community.
Signposting you to specialist organisations.
Please be aware we’re not medically or legally trained. We cannot provide detailed financial or benefits advice or specialist emotional support.
Please contact us via telephone, email or LiveChat - 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (except English bank holidays).
If you need specific medical advice about your condition, your GP or IBD team will be best placed to help.
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